Healing Through Art – 16 Days of Activism  

November 26, 2024
By Marco Campana, Knowledge Mobilization and Social Action Coordinator, Access Alliance

Where does expressive arts programming fit into supporting immigrant and refugee survivors of Gender Based Violence (GBV)? 

16 Days of Action acknowledges that violence against immigrant and refugee women is multiplied by race, immigration status, and gender identity. Immigrant and refugee women who experience gender-based violence face unique barriers and challenges to disclosing and reporting abuse, accessing supports and services, and navigating complex legal processes and unknown social support systems. They are marginalized in multiple ways. The violence they face is compounded by different systems of discrimination. They are not always believed, and face challenges accessing support and finding safety. 

This year, we have focused our 16 Days of Activism on the effective healing impacts of expressive art for newcomer survivors of gender-based violence (GBV). Arts, Settlement, and Community Health organizations can integrate expressive arts within violence prevention programming to improve survivors’ mental health. Join us as we share how art can heal. 

Over the 16 days we’ll be inviting you to reflect on different questions related to how art can be an important part of improving mental health. Follow us on the social channel of your choice, we’ll be posting on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn. As each post is shared we’ll add it to this page below. 

If you need help now, you can call 211 for support and information about services that can help. 

Art is Action. Art is Activism. Art can Alleviate. 

Access Alliance has been developing and holding expressive arts therapy groups since 2004.  

Expressive arts therapy offers powerful tools for self-regulation and stress reduction. Through movement, visual imagery, touch, and sound, these therapies engage the body and mind, promoting emotional soothing and physiological changes. Rhythm, a key element in all arts, helps stabilize and create a sense of safety, making it effective for both calming hyperactivation and energizing during withdrawal. 

Expressive arts therapy uniquely promotes exploration beyond traditional talk therapy. Through mirroring and entertainment, therapists use art, music, drama, and movement to create sensory-rich experiences that synchronize rhythms and promote self-regulation. These techniques help newcomer women feel safe, connected, and in tune with themselves and others. Expression through art, movement, and sound affirms life, creating transformative moments. 

Expressive arts help participants express life stressors, trauma and experiences of migration through creative mediums. It is an effective means of reducing social isolation as it encourages clients to express themselves authentically while having their identity embraced by their peers. 

Expressive arts can be particularly helpful to clients facing language barriers as it offers a medium of expression beyond verbal language. We use a variety of expressive arts mediums including visual arts, music, photo-voice, dance, spoken word, and embroidery to support the well-being of community members. 

Our community work, service delivery, and research illustrate how art programs at Access Alliance can improve survivors’ mental health. Find out more on these pages: 

• Research Snapshot: Implementation Research with Expressive Arts Therapy (EAT) to Support the Newcomer Survivors of Gender-based Domestic Violence (GBDV) in Toronto 
• Expressive Arts Programming at Access Alliance 
• Exploring stories through embroidery art – this group of Arabic-speaking women who gave voice to their memories and stories through embroidery art 
• Stepping Up – this guide helps community organizations provide arts-based programming to address issues of violence and community safety for trans, lesbian and bisexual newcomer, immigrant and refugee women. The tool kit is based on Access Alliance’s original model of expressive arts therapy 
• Mental Health Services – Our professional social workers provide mental health counselling and education to immigrants, refugees and their communities who live in the City of Toronto. Our service is culturally sensitive and language accessible 
• Peer Outreach Program – Peer Outreach Workers reach out to immigrant and refugee families, shared experiences, language and culture, and linked families to services. They help newcomers overcome barriers, increasing access to health opportunities, and nurturing social support networks. 
• Gender, Sexual Orientation & Health research – We investigate how systemic inequities based on gender and sexual orientations are socially produced, and how this impacts health outcomes and access to healthcare. Our projects seek to build evidence for promoting safe, inclusive and equitable understanding of gender and sexual orientation. 

 #16DaysofAction Background 

The 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence is an international campaign that runs annually from November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) to December 10 (Human Rights Day). During this time, we also commemorate Canada’s National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.  

The campaign emphasizes reaching marginalized populations, including immigrants, refugees, and others who are often at heightened risk of gender-based violence. The initiative specifically aims to ensure that no one is left behind in efforts to end gender-based violence. 

As we share knowledge on how Arts, Settlement, and Community Health organizations can integrate art within violence prevention programming to improve survivors’ mental health we also acknowledge other campaigns and themes during this time. 

The Government of Canada’s 16 Days of Activism theme for 2024 is Come Together, Act Now. It emphasizes how crucial it is to involve everyone in Canada – particularly men and boys – in changing social norms, attitudes and behaviours that contribute to gender-based violence. It is also a call to action urging all of us to recognize the signs of gender-based violence and to reach out for support, for ourselves or loved ones.   

The Canadian Federation of University Women’s campaign has three focus areas: Violence Against Indigenous Women and Girls, Violence Against Women in Politics, and Gun Violence. 

Hope for Refugees International is hosting an afternoon/evening event on November 28th – Voices for Change: Ending Gender-Based Violence Among Refugees and Newcomers. The Voices for Change event will raise awareness about gender-based violence experienced by refugees, newcomers, and 2SLGBTQI+ communities, shining a light on the unique challenges faced by survivors. 

Join Us. Follow Our Campaign 

Over the 16 days we invite you to reflect on different questions related to Gender Based Violence and the healing power of art. Follow us on the social channel of your choice, we’ll be posting on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn. As each post is shared, we’ll add it below. 

What you can expect: 

POST 1: Intro to Expressive Arts for Newcomer Women Survivors of Domestic Violence 
Date November 26 

Expressive Arts (EA) is a powerful tool for improving mental health outcomes for gender-based violence (GBV) survivors, especially in newcomer communities!

At Access Alliance, we use integrated art activities to promote mental wellbeing and facilitate trauma healing in culturally sensitive ways.

Here’s why it works:

Benefits of EA for newcomer survivors of GBV include:
• Overcoming language barriers
• A safe space for processing trauma
• Empowering and building self-efficacy
• Reduced stress and anxiety
• A sense of belonging
• Destigmatized mental health discussions

What art forms are within your culture? How does engaging in these art forms make you feel?

POST 2: Self-Regulation 
Date November 28 

Did you know? Expressive arts (EA) therapies offer powerful tools for self-regulation and stress reduction.

Through movement, visual imagery, touch, and sound, these therapies engage the body and mind, promoting emotional soothing and physiological changes.

Rhythm, a key element in all arts, helps stabilize, and create a sense of safety.

Here’s why it works:

LEARN: Expressive Arts for Self-Regulation

• Sensory engagement: The act of art-making activates senses, calms the body and nervous system
• Embodied expression: Movement-based arts facilitate body-based communication of trauma, releasing stored energy and promoting healing
• Safe exploration: Creative processes provide a safe space to explore and process trauma without verbalization

REFLECT: What activities help you to stay calm? What activities do you want to integrate into your life to manage stress?

POST 3: Co-Regulation 
Date December 3 

Did you know? Community connection is foundational to trauma healing, especially for those who have experienced gender-based domestic violence. At Access Alliance, intergenerational community programs combine skills development and art activities to bring people together.

LEARN: Expressive Arts for Co-Regulation

• Making art together contributes to a trusting, safe, and secure environment for friendships to happen  
• Positive friendships and relationships help to decrease stress and anxiety 
• A sense of belonging can be felt when people come together and art make  

 REFLECT: What does intergenerational programming integrating art activities look like?

POST 4: Exploration 
Date December 5 

Did you know? Expressive arts goes beyond language and helps people communicate without words. At Access Alliance, newcomers use art activities to reimagine their home as a safe, trusting, and secure place.

LEARN: Expressive arts for exploration means:

• Self-discovery: Participants discover new insights about themselves and find new meaning in their experiences.
• Reframing experiences: Participants change how they see themselves and
  their experiences, allowing them to generate new perspectives.
• Emotional growth: Participants can express emotions and thoughts in different ways, leading to emotional growth and healing

REFLECT: What does it mean to re-imagine your home?

POST 5: Restoration  
Date December 10 

POST 6: Call to Action  
Date December 12