Moving on

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Reflections On A Dance Therapy Group Program For Women Survivors Of Sexual Assault

By Sarah Mcgregor And Sue Mullane

In 1997 the South Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault (SECASA) implemented an eight week trial program (auspiced by Ausdance) introducing dance therapy to a group of young women who were survivors of sexual assault. The sessions, lead by the dance therapist provided a focus on the expression of self through movement and art.

Through the women's feedback at the conclusion of the project, it was evident that they had been challenged by the movement in different ways. 'Body freedom' and 'body control' were both recognised as being positively confronting. Some noted the issues of body image and posture particularly became important to them; others were able to return to physical activity outside the therapeutic session, previously lost to them post assault.

Following from this trial project a ten week pilot program was devised by the dance therapist and sexual assault counsellor, combining traditional feminist / verbal sexual assault group process with a movement medium. The program devised encompassed five phases. These were an interviewing phase, where the facilitators interviewed the women. A second phase where the women could attend two sessions to allow them a chance to experience the movement before making a formal commitment to the group. During this phase group agreements and themes were established by the group. In the third phase themes were explored over a six week period. The final phases involved an opportunity for the themes to be consolidated and for closure to take place over a two week period.

Movement sessions began with a basic body warm up bringing awareness to the body. This allowed individuals to become aware of relationships between body parts and also with the physical environment. Themes were explored at an individual level, in small groups and in a whole group context. This involved journal work, body work and work with other art materials. As with traditional sexual assault groups it was important that the women had as much control over the movement process as possible. This allowed women to go at their own pace and for us to be respectful of where they were at. The movement ranged from subtle gestures to vigorous group work. Within the movement no two people were necessarily seen to be doing the same thing.

The pilot program called Moving On began in May (1998) and concluded in July. The following is a reflection of both our experiences as facilitators, and of the women as participants. (The women's comments come from written evaluations provided by them at the conclusion of the program, and have been given with permission to be published.)

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