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Thesis of the Royal Academy of Art, The Hague, 2023 BA Photography This thesis explores personal journey of the author’s healing from sexual violence trauma through art making when conventional therapy was not available. It is divided into two parts where the first consists of descriptive-research-based writings, while the second one provides the reader with personal writings of the author. The research-based part driven by a question How can the process of art making help facilitate healing after experiencing sexual violence firstly focuses on understanding trauma and its causes and symptoms. Secondly, it provides understanding of sexual violence, the barriers of reporting sexual violence, additionally, it provides with understanding of how do survivors heal from sexual violence induced trauma. Thirdly, it investigates releasing and redirecting traumatic energy inspired by the writings of therapist Peter A. Levine and outlines benefits of healing through art making. Lastly, this part provides nine strategies to avoid re-traumatization and to cope with potential triggers when seeking to heal from trauma through art making. The personal writings include thoughts, poems, notes to self, and excerpts from a personal diary throughout author’s endeavor to seek closure and become healed from sexual violence induced trauma. Overall, the thesis aims to inspire survivors of sexual violence and other forms of trauma to include artmaking into their journey of becoming healed.
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