Marigona Bekteshi Ferati
Authors country of origin: Bulgaria
Institutional affiliation: National Academy of Theatre and Film Arts; Sofia, Bulgaria
Email address: marigonabekteshi3@gmail.com
Abstract
This study investigates the long-term consequences of sexual violence and overcoming trauma at survivors of sexual violence through educational theatre. Participants in this research were 30 women survivors of sexual violence during the war in Kosovo and 4 women were interviewed, who recounted in details the event of sexual violence and their lives after the war. For the quantitative part, three self-report questionnaires were utilized, the qualitative part was realized through a semi-structured interview, whereas the survivors; stories were transcribed, then used in the theatrical play “QUEENS WITHOUT CROWNS” which was part of this study. The first hypothesis, which is directly related to the experience of sexual violence and social acceptance, was not resulted as significant, however, from interviews were obtained results that confirm the impact of sexual violence on the social acceptance of survivors in their walks of life.
The second hypothesis turned out to be confirmed because according to the results obtained victims of sexual violence have a high level of post-traumatic stress, whereas the data also confirm and third hypothesis that due to stigmatization, survivors are excluded and self-excluded from cultural activities. Meantime, as a way to overcome trauma, it has been proven that the theatrical performance realized based upon the stories of survivors has resulted in: reducing the stigmatization of victims and their social acceptance in their living and working circle and it has influenced as therapeutic process to victims to overcome trauma, it has directly influenced in education of family members towards the path of accepting victims, it has raised social awareness among the various spectators present in the artistic performance.
Keywords: sexual violence during the war, educational theatre, social acceptance, overcoming trauma
Volume 4.No.1(2021): April (Humanities Session)
ISSN 2661-2666 (Online) International Scientific Journal Monte (ISJM)
ISSN 2661-264X (Print)
DOI : 10.33807/monte.20211850
DOI URL: https://doi.org/10.33807/monte.20211850
Full Text: PDF
This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)