A Pilot Study of Compassion-Focused Visual Art Therapy for Sexually Abused Children and the Potential Role of Self-Compassion in Reducing Trauma-Related Shame

In contemporary India, the increase in child sexual abuse is an endemic. The high prevalence of CSA and adverse consequences of sexual abuses in children warrants an increased investment in the development of preventive and therapeutic strategies. The purpose of this study was to develop an intervention program for sexually abused female children on enhancing self-compassion and reducing trauma-related shame and to pilot test its feasibility and usability in the clinical practice. Development of the program involved the integration of qualitative and quantitative research designs. Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) and Trauma-Related Shame Inventory (TRSI) were used to measure the level of self-compassion and trauma-related shame among the participants. Interviews and Focused-Group Discussions were carried out to get a better understanding of the severity of these problems. Basing on these, a thirteen modular intervention was developed integrating the Self-compassion theory , Shame Resilience Theory, Compassion- focused Therapy and Art Therapy. The program was subjected for validation of inter-disciplinary experts and pilot tested to ten sexually abused female children. The intervention was positively received by the participants and the results of the pilot test showed improvement in the level of self-compassion and reduction in trauma-related shame among the children.