Group Art Therapy for Adult Female Victims of Sexual Violence

Abstract

In the United States, women are vulnerable to sexual violence regardless of their socioeconomic conditions (Black, et.al, 2010; Wadeson, 2010; Basile, 2002). Women make up 50.8 percent of the U.S. population (U. S. Census 2010). One might extrapolate from these statistics, albeit inaccurately, that women would have available to them an abundance of trained clinicians and resources ready to assist adult victims of sexual violence beyond the immediate medical attention and crisis counseling (Howden & Meyer, 2011). Most often, however, just the opposite stands true there is limited research and services available to women who experience sexual violence as an adult (Wadeson, 2010; Black, et.al, 2010; Calhoun & Atkeson, 1991). Due to shame, guilt, or other complexities of their situation, women who experience sexual violence as adults often do not seek counseling beyond the immediate crisis services that are rendered (Black et.al, 2010; Calhoun & Atkeson, 1991; Hilberman, 1976). Victims often will adapt or attempt to cope with their trauma until their symptoms worsen, at which time they are forced to seek mental health treatment (Wadeson’ 2010; Pifalo, 2007; Tripp, 2007; Calhoun & Atkeson, 1991). Victims of sexual violence should have access to treatment that is tailored specifically to address their sexual trauma, including mental health treatment that will acknowledge their feelings of isolation and that assists in healing from their traumatic experience that has changed or altered how they view themselves and the world. After review of the most commonly used treatment models for trauma, group art therapy presents promising potential as an effective treatment model for adult female victims of sexual violence experiencing post-traumatic trauma symptoms.