& Order: Special Victims Unit over a decade ago, the content of the scripts, as
well as the work she did to prepare for the role, opened her eyes to the
epidemics of sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse. What she
learned was staggering:
cally or sexually abused by a husband or
boyfriend at some point in their lives.
someone is sexually assaulted.
country as a result of child abuse and
neglect. And up to ten million children
witness domestic violence each year.
mail she received. The letters didn't say, "I love your show. Can you send me
an autographed picture?" They said, "I was raped when I was fifteen. I'm
forty now and I've never told anyone." Victims were disclosing their stories
to her, many for the first time.
educate and empower survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and
child abuse, and to shed light into the darkness that surrounds these issues.
traditional talk therapy on the survivor's healing journey. Our therapies engage
the body through movement, the mind through creative expression, and the
spirit through group sharing experiences, in order to help participants move
beyond survivorship and into an experience of living life with joy.
to ensure the safety and therapeutic value of the program, and to determine
appropriate ongoing support that will help the program participant integrate
her retreat experience into her ongoing healing process.
we use may include creative arts therapy, guided writing, body work, yoga
and meditation, experiencing the ocean, music, dance, movement, somatic
experiencing, interaction with animals, play, and mindfulness practice.
nity to reconnect to their retreat experience while enhancing their community
of support. These ongoing programs are also free of charge and include
monthly wellness days and weekly workshops. Joyful Heart's wellness and
community programs in shelters and communities across the country have
already provided hope and healing to thousands of survivors.
Heart's programming endeavors to expose them to some of the best life has
to offer: safety, compassion, connection, community and possibility.