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Creating scrupture can help victim of human trafficking

Dr Peggy LeVine, Clinical Psychologist and Asian Specialist Anthropologist held an art therapy workshop at the NGO Acting for Women in Distressing Circumstances (AFESIP). The participants of the workshop called ‘’ Sculptural Activities for Psycho-social-spirit” were the residents, former victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation, of AFESIP’s rehabilitation centre.

The workshop was held from 24th-29th January 2010, with the participation of 18 residents and 2 counselors of AFESIP’s shelters.

The workshop was designed to assist the staff in AFESIP’s shelters to better assess trauma during rehabilitation of victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. They also learned “does and don’t” in relationships during work time with the residents.  

It has to be noted that it wasn’t a workshop “instructing” participants on how to do, though it did provide skills for the use of materials in a safe environment. Figural (animal and human form) sculptures were a feature of the workshop day by day, with the creation of “a series” of artworks telling stories. Often, when people have a long story of body violation, they become disconnected from themselves, others, and time and place (dissociation). One overriding goal of the workshop was to re-embody participants in ways increasing their connection to themselves, others, place and time.

‘’ By sculpting human figures that represent the reality of where they have been and where they are going, the participants will generate their own themes as individuals and groups’’, Dr. Peggy said.

Each day involved worksheets that could be used to develop a therapy plan but only  AFTER an assessment of the severity of trauma. Participants learned how to make therapy maps corresponding to their stage of personal development.

Each day of the workshop participants used local clay to create the objects (identity and human body). Creating sculptures is a temporary break in their worries and concerns. ‘’Participants will only pay attention and concentrate on the creation of their object so their emotions and thoughts will take over worrying issues and stress at this moment ‘’ Dr. Peggy said.

After this training, the artworks created by participants will be featured in an Exhibition Event which will present many of the artworks (mostly drawings and sculptures) made by AFESIP’s residents during this art therapy and during another drawing therapy last year in Savannakhet province.  The exhibition will be organized in June 2010 in Vientiane capital and provinces.