T O P I C R E V I E W
SansNom
Member # 91788
posted 02-28-2012 05:30 PM
A couple of months ago, my therapist told me something interesting. She stated that her organization was approached by a judge who asked if there were any abuse survivors who wouldn't mind submitting a copy of their artwork. The art will be exhibited in a gallery for the purpose of deepening the understanding of the impact of domestic violence/sexual abuse on women and teens. I jumped at this proposal, and immediately volunteered for my artwork to be submitted. Then, my therapist called me today telling me that someone else from the University of Toronto is also interested in the artwork. Again, I enthusiastically volunteered for my art to be submitted. This time, the purpose is to study the art for a deeper understanding of the impact of domestic violence/sexual abuse on women and teens. So, the point of the above rant is: I'm so happy that there are people who are interested in learning more about how survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse are impacted by what they had been through! I hope that my art, even marginally, will contribute to a better understanding of those who have been abused (including a better educated society free of harmful misconconceptions), and that the resulting conclusions from the research be used to develop more effective treatment programs for survivors. That is all I hope for! So, a big YAY!!! I truly hope that research and education will help people to understand and be better able to support survivors, for I am one!!
moonlight bouncing off water
Member # 44338
posted 02-28-2012 08:06 PM
This is awesome! And it's really outside of the box, which is something that research about, well anything, but abuse survivors in particular , tends not to be. Plus it's pretty neat to get to have your art displayed. Go you and go the people doing this research!
Heather
Member # 3
posted 02-28-2012 08:15 PM
You are all so very cool and inspiring.
thumb tack
Member # 60502
posted 02-28-2012 08:19 PM
This is super cool! I am also a survivor and I've been thinking about doing art therapy, I've heard really great things about art therapy and healing from trauma! I also think it's really cool that you now have a role to play in research that will hopefull help other survivors one day. High five!
SansNom
Member # 91788
posted 02-29-2012 07:59 AM
Thanks, everyone! Recently I've felt slightly discouraged about producing more artworks (I've done 3 so far) that relate to the trauma because..well...my therapist encourages me to bring them in whenever I've finished them, and I began worrying that she might not want to look at them anymore if I bring in too many....she hasn't indicated anything of the sort; it's just a anxious thought (maybe irrational) that I have based on what ifs. But I'm quite encouraged by this turn of events. I think I will go back to painting again whenever I feel inclined to do so, and not feel bad about showing these to my therapist. Based on her eagerness to tell me of opportunities to use my art to help others understand the pain of trauma, I guess my fears are completely unfounded. So, back to painting I will go!
Rosalia
Member # 82681
posted 03-02-2012 11:34 AM
That's wonderful news! Admittedly, after suffering sexual abuse myself, I couldn't understand a lot of things about myself anymore. Truthfully, I still don't my therapist had suggested drawing as an outlet for me, but it caused unwanted memories for me. I'm glad you've had this chance to not only progress your own healing, but give me and so many others insight into what goes on in the damaged mind. I hope I get to see these artworks someday. This is essentially a yay for me as well!