Background

In the seven decades since independence, India has made tremendous progress in economic and social development. Every passing year, more families gain better access to safe homes, healthcare, and education. The national average of families below the poverty line has declined significantly. Amidst all the commendable growth, it becomes easy to overlook some of the most obvious yet unavoidable gaps – and the safety and well-being of women and children is one such concern. 

In 2023 alone, the National Commission for Women (NCW) received over 29,000 complaints of crimes against women (The Hindu). Close to 7,000 of these were cases of domestic violence. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of reported cases has only increased each year, and one can’t overstate how a huge fraction of crimes go unreported. While support systems exist, many survivors of domestic violence struggle to cope with the emotional scars that remain long after the immediate danger has passed. These lasting effects can make it difficult to heal, regroup, or even re-enter everyday life.

For children, the challenge is even more difficult. In environments that don’t feel safe or supportive, expressing complex emotions can feel exhausting – even impossible. This is where art therapy offers real hope. Research shows that trauma-informed art and play therapy can significantly improve the mental health of children who have witnessed adverse, disruptive experiences early on (Woollett N, Bandeira M, Hatcher A. Trauma-informed art and play therapy: Pilot study outcomes for children and mothers in domestic violence shelters in the United States and South Africa). It also helps survivors develop self-soothing skills and emotional regulation – tools that are essential for recovery (Sarah Riley, Positive Effects of Art Therapy for Women and Children from Backgrounds of Domestic Violence).

These ideas formed the bedrock of The Arts Advocacy Project (TAAP). Our humble hope is to create a space where survivors of domestic violence – and their children – can feel safe, heard, and hopeful again. Through art, therapy, and compassionate support, TAAP is here to lend a helping hand and offer a path toward rebuilding lives with creativity, strength, and courage.