Music Therapy Programming at an Aftercare Center in Cambodia for Survivors of Child Sexual Exploitation and Rape and Their Caregivers

Author: Schrader, Elizabeth & Wendland, Jennifer

Abstract: Child sexual exploitation, a form of human trafficking, is one of the most devastating crises facing our world today. In order to combat this issue, survivors of sex trafficking must be successfully rehabilitated and reintegrated into society. Creative arts therapies offer child victims of abuse alternative opportunities for healing and restoration. This article describes the work of two music therapists in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, with an aftercare center that provides immediate care to young girls rescued from commercial sexual exploitation and other situations of sexual violence. During this six-month project, the therapists provided training opportunities to the staff, including education regarding music therapy principles, instrument lessons, participation in group music activities, and one-on-one assistance leading large-group music activities with the survivors. The purpose of these experiences was to explore the role of music therapy programming in supporting care for the survivors and the staff. This article explores such programming and discusses recommendations for future projects.

Keywords: human trafficking, child sex trafficking, aftercare, Cambodia, music therapy