Psychodrama as a Preventive Measure: Teenage Girls Confronting Violence

JOSEPHINE FONG

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JOSEPHINE FONG Author

Keywords:

preventing violence

Abstract

The problem of male violence against women has affected the lives of many women since ancient times. Women are victims of child sexual abuse, date rape, marital assault, marital rape, and sexual harassment. In this article, the author describes an innovative approach to combat violence by employing techniques generally used in drama therapy and psychodrama. Such work is aimed at increasing young women's awareness of violence, enhancing their agency in preventing and dealing with violent situations, and engaging them to take part in educating their peers on issues of male violence. High-school girls (N = 19) participated in weekly sessions for 6 months. Empowered by the group director, the young women staged 2 productions in schools, sharing their insights with more than 200 peers.

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Psychodrama as a Preventive Measure: Teenage Girls Confronting Violence

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