The women's feedback

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The women were asked how the group supported them in their recovery through the use of movement & dance. In their words "it helped me to reconnect with my body outwardly and inwardly i.e.: the inner feelings including the memories of the abuse", "it enabled me to move creatively", "it got me in touch where I've felt hurt - assaulted - and moved me out of it", "It has helped make a connection learning to open up with the body and getting comfortable with it, also to be more open with others", and "I feel freer in my physical self and 'allowed' to express myself physically". Other comments included references to being more aware of feelings, particularly the habit of "blocking things"; and of still feeling "the bruising".

Throughout the program, particularly after a movement sequence, time was given for the women to use large art journals to facilitate the processing of immediate thoughts, feelings and responses to the moving. On some occasions these responses were shared in pairs or with the whole group, but on the whole the journal was considered a private means of personal reflection for the women to use to support their own experience.

Women reported that "seeing feelings on paper was a new experience and another form of expression", "(the) journals have been good in getting (the) colour of events out, (the) process of healing", "writing and drawing has been a freeing / flowing expression of my feelings", "a relaxed possibly sub-conscious account of my experience of me revealing". "It was interesting to see the different feelings experienced come up on paper and seeing others expressions". "Documenting my experiences has been empowering", and  "revisiting my journal of the movement therapy is an enjoyable affirming, empowering exercise".

The women were asked how they found this group different from traditional sexual assault groups. They reported "I felt a more intuitive release of issues then (when) just sitting in a group and just talking about concerns, it works quicker at a mind body level". Also "my body scars have been affirmed by group members who have similar body scars", "I've been more aware of it (the body), connected to it appreciative of it, sensitive to it and respectful of it", I've focused on the physical body and the feelings / energy within it".

In terms of their skills, knowledge and understanding with which they left the group the women commented "it's okay to express myself physically, and also it's essential to free my soul and it can be done publicly", "reclaimed creativity - movement, drawing sculpture; express feelings thoughts, even sub-conscious ones to myself and others", "(I) can relax, can release feelings, thoughts even sub-conscious ones to myself and others", "(I) can release feelings", "movement can be gentle to angry, while also being comfortable, safe, self directed".

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