Art can provide an open space for the critical exchange of ideas. Due to the harsh realities in this world, at times we need to discuss content that some may find offensive or traumatizing. We try to forewarn about potentially disturbing content, such as the following story about child sexual assault, so you can opt out of reading this particular post.
While I talked on the phone one day with a friend, whom I’ll call Tammy, she said, “I would like to tell you something.” But the phone remained silent for the next couple of minutes. Tammy took a deep breath, struggling to form her words. Finally, she said, “This is hard.”
I waited, feeling her discomfort. After another minute of painful silence, she said, “When I was fourteen, my doctor told my mother that I had a tipped uterus which would prevent me from having children. The possibility of not having children got my mom’s attention. So, when the doctor asked my mom to step out of the room while he treated me, she left me alone with him.”
Over the next several minutes, the doctor sexually assaulted Tammy with his hands under the pretense of a medical treatment. As part of the ordeal, Tammy said that she also saw a “blue flash” go off. Apparently, the doctor collected his own images of child pornography as part of his devious activity.
Because of his position of authority, this doctor was able to coerce an unknowing parent to allow her child to undergo his abusive treatment. All the while, he knew that no child would speak up about something so uncomfortable. But—six decades later—Tammy finally found the courage to talk about her traumatic experience.
The next time we spoke, two weeks later, Tammy told me about the guilt and shame she felt from that doctor’s appointment. I responded, “The guilt and shame belong to the doctor who touched you inappropriately. He is the one who is guilty. Not you.” After we talked about the importance of sharing our painful secrets in a safe environment as part of the healing process, Tammy surprised me by saying, “Please tell my story to help others who have endured similar experiences. Just don’t use my real name.”
We talked about how art can help open the dialogue to talk about tough stories. Art creates an outlet where voices can be expressed and hurts released. Red Jeans Redemption, one of our Healing in Arts projects, gives survivors a platform to speak up about their sexual abuse.
As part of the healing process, we provide a space where individuals have a chance to participate. We ship a pair of red jeans for individuals to decorate if they indicate that they want to be part of the project. This work empowers survivors by giving them a platform to safely—and anonymously—share their stories.
Do you have a sexual abuse story to tell? Be a part of our Red Jeans Redemption project and express your story through art. Message us to get a pair of red jeans to decorate with symbols, words, drawings, patches, paint, beads, etc. Healing in Arts is collecting the jeans for a future exhibit to promote advocacy, restoration, and hope for sexual abuse survivors.
