Betrayal of Intimacy: An Exploration of Art Therapy and Adolescent Acquaintance Rape Survivors

by Michelle Stoutenberg

My thesis explores the value of art therapy in the treatment of acquaintance rape in the adolescent population. The history surrounding this topic is discussed and the social influences that are perpetuating this violence are reviewed. I address the general and more specific issues that emerge for an adolescent survivor of acquaintance rape. I move on to discuss the benefits of using art therapy to address these issues. Finally, I present a case study of a young woman who experienced this trauma and used the art process to work through the issues that arose. I conclude that the art therapy process can definitely benefit the adolescent survivor of acquaintance rape.