The healing centre for survivor wellbeing: a supportive, inclusive, and healing environment for sexual violence recovery
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Date
2019-12-18
Authors
Zimberg, Zoe
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Abstract
Sexual violence can affect peoples’ spatial feelings and understandings, as sexual violence causes a fear of public space (Valentine 1989). Although existing sexual assault facilities provide a range of necessary services, survivors often experience feelings of “second assault” (Williams and Holmes 1981) or re-traumatization in these facilities. An exploration of sexual assault care environments can address these issues and results in a design for a supportive, inclusive, healing environment. The proposed holistic healing centre is where adult survivors of sexual violence–of any gender, sex, sexuality, class, or race – can feel supported physically, mentally, and spiritually.
This interior design practicum addresses the issues in sexual assault services by shifting away from clinical healthcare towards a holistic healing environment that promotes survivor wellbeing. The proposed Healing Centre for Survivor Wellbeing is located at 784 Wolseley Avenue in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Winnipeg has the highest recorded rates of sexual assault in Canada (Winnipeg Safe Steering Committee 2016, 43). This document explains how a carefully planned interior informed by supportive design theory, healing environments, and inclusive design can potentially promote survivor wellbeing.
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Keywords
Sexual violence, Survivor, Healing, Wellbeing, Supportive, Inclusive, Indigenous