Abstract
ABSTRACT In a 2015–2016 UK survey of 35, 248 adults, 7% reported experiencing sexual abuse as children. This review considers the value of Art Therapy (AT) in recognizing individual needs and experiences and supporting victims to manage the lasting impact of abuse. Three main bodies of research were identified: the use of AT in childhood sexual abuse (CSA) investigations; the use of art therapy in the treatment of the psychological sequelae of CSA victims in childhood and adulthood; and an assessment of how art therapy compares to other therapeutic approaches for CSA victims. The review highlights that AT particularly benefits rapport building between victim and therapist/investigator, and alleviates some psychological consequences of sexual abuse – particularly anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and dissociation. By engaging the limbic system, AT may also provide a communicative form, building a narrative where verbal communication is hindered. However, the analysis brings attention to several weaknesses in the current AT research: available studies tend to have small sample sizes and few quantitative findings. This review concludes by identifying the need for research which considers the clinical implications of AT in CSA cases for the future.
Highlights
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) (Flatley, 2016) reported that in 2015–2016, in England and Wales, 7% of adults aged 16–59 years had experi enced child sexual abuse (CSA)
The results show that including drawing during a childhood sexual abuse (CSA) investiga tion interview has positive effects though there was no overall benefit of drawing post-interview
We must be aware of limitations of the study: large standard deviations in the results, familial background, and nature of the abuse for all children were not consistent, and the interviewer conducted the study, which may skew the results as children may want to direct feelings expressed to what the interviewer desires as an outcome (Katz et al, 2014)
Summary
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) (Flatley, 2016) reported that in 2015–2016, in England and Wales, 7% of adults aged 16–59 years had experi enced child sexual abuse (CSA). Eleven percent of females in the population were CSA victims whilst 3% were male. Emerging work recognizes the potential for posttraumatic growth (Hartley et al, 2016) and resilience (Kaye-Tzadok & Davidson-Arad, 2016) Psychological therapies, such as Exposure Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Narrative Exposure Therapy and Stress Inoculation Therapy, have been used to treat children exposed to trauma. These therapies have varied levels of success in the treatment of CSA (Turner, 2019). This study assesses the impact of Art Therapy on both adult and child CSA victims
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