YOGA & ART THERAPY FOR HEALING

Trafficking in persons refers to the act of transferring, harbouring or transporting people by use of force, deception or abuse of power to exploit, prostitute or enslave. The Global Report on Trafficking in Persons 2016 indicates that the primary victims of trafficking are women and girls. Women constitute 51 per cent of trafficked persons and girls 20 per cent, with the most common form of trafficking being sexual exploitation.

When female adolescents are sexually abused they face developmental challenges. The most common cognitive changes related to abuse involve a negative view of the self and feelings of guilt, perceiving oneself as both helpless and hopeless, and having difficulty trusting others. Art therapy is considered one of the several treatments that allow a survivor to build self-esteem and cope with symptoms, stress and traumatic experiences.

Research in Frontiers in Neuroscience reveals that women with a history of sexual violence against them can significantly reduce traumarelated thoughts and memories by practising 30 minutes of meditation followed by 30 minutes of exercise just twice a week.

Including the body in therapeutic work, in the form or yoga, allows survivors of sexual abuse to establish a sense of safety and address their relationship with their body. It also provides choice and a sense of control, and together with mindfulness can be used as an adjunct treatment with psychotherapy.