An art-based support group will be offered to adult woman survivors of childhood sexual abuse or adult sexual assault to explore issues resulting from sexual violence.
Rape Advocacy, Counseling, and Education Services has organized the free and confidential support group, which will begin June 12. The community-based rape crisis center serves Champaign, Douglas, Ford and Piatt Counties.
The group of about 10 members will use different art mediums to explore common issues survivors deal with, such as anger, boundaries, sexuality, fear, safety, shame and responsibility.
The art-making process will be used because it is a way to tap into different parts of the brain that talk therapy doesn’t always reach, said RACES Direct Services Coordinator Erin Sturm.
“Sometimes art can be safer in the way that their art might make sense to the survivor, so it’s not just coming out and saying their story,” Sturm said. “They don’t have to speak the words of what they’ve been through.”
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For the past six years, Sturm has incorporated art into support groups. However, this is the second year that the center will run a support group based solely on art.
RACES advocate Stephanie Ames said most of the time in group is spent almost in complete silence making art.
“It was great to see how survivors express what they’re going through on a canvas instead of verbalizing,” Ames said.
Some projects may include canvas art, clay making, photography and even jewelry making, Ames said.
Two projects that focus on self-esteem and self-image will involve masks and mirrors. Survivors will decorate plain white masks to express what their self-images are and how they see themselves in the world. The mirrors will be decorated with affirmations, so the survivors can see their positive qualities.
Survivors will have the option to submit their projects to a September art show called Healing Works at Indi Go Artist Co-op in Champaign. The show lasts for a week and displays work by survivors, allies and supporters of survivors of sexual violence. Projects can be submitted anonymously.
According to the American Art Therapy Association, “art therapy helps people resolve conflicts, improve interpersonal skills, manage problematic behaviors, reduce negative stress and achieve personal insight.”
To join the group, women can call (217) 344-6298 by June 7.
Karyna can be reached at [email protected].
