YWCA Greater Los Angeles Hosts Healing Arts Workshop to Celebrate Domestic Violence Awareness Month
By Marion Apio
At the YMCA of Greater Los Angeles on a recent Thursday afternoon, on Oct 16, a group of women participated in an exercise designed to help survivors of sexual assault feel safe and grounded.
Participants painted vases and assembled bouquets of purple flowers, focusing on a single word of personal strength: “welcoming,” for instance, or “motherhood.”
The activity highlighted the idea that “growth is not about rushing, and flowers bloom at their own pace,” fostering self-compassion and resilience.
The “Healing Arts Workshop” is part of an ongoing series dedicated to empowering survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and human trafficking.
Led by Brena Robinson, a community education outreach coordinator for the YWCA, the workshop focused on the color purple in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
The YMCA of Greater Los Angeles recently hosted a Healing Arts Workshop, a crucial part of its ongoing series dedicated to empowering survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and human trafficking.
This particular session, themed “Pieces of Purple: Honoring Resilience Through Flower Bouquets,” served as a poignant celebration of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, emphasizing healing, connection, and growth.
Intimate partner violence (IPV)—which includes physical violence, rape, stalking, and psychological aggression—affects millions across the U.S.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 4 in 10 women(41%) and 1 in 4 men (26%) have experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
Annually, more than 10 million people become victims of domestic or intimate-partner violence, a figure cited by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
The scale of abuse is vast: nearly 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced rape, physical violence, or stalking by a partner in their lives, with approximately 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men being victims of overall domestic violence, according to reports from The Hotline and NCBI.
Furthermore, the NCADV reports that over 61 million women and 53 million men have been subjected to psychological aggression by a partner.
The workshops are designed to support victims and survivors of domestic and intimate-partner violence, which is linked to serious health outcomes such as injuries, chronic disease, mental health challenges, and broader societal costs.
The workshop, led by Brena Robinson, community education outreach coordinator for the YWCA Greater Los Angeles’s Survivor Empowerment Services program, underscored the profound significance of the color purple.
“Purple symbolizes courage, survival, honor, and a dedication to ending violence,” Robinson explained, tracing the history of DVAM from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence’s Day of Unity in 1981 to its official recognition in 1987.
She stressed that DVAM extends beyond mere awareness, focusing equally on “healing and belonging.”
Participants engaged in a gentle five-senses check-in, a grounding exercise where they shared safe colors, sounds, textures, scents, and tastes. This personal reflection set a supportive atmosphere for the main activity: designing individual vases and assembling bouquets of purple flowers.
Each participant was encouraged to align their creation with a single word representing their personal strength, such as “welcoming” or “motherhood.”
The activity highlighted the idea that “growth is not about rushing, and flowers bloom at their own pace,” fostering self-compassion and resilience.
Attendees, including a midwife and a journalist, shared their experiences and connections, emphasizing the critical importance of seeking support and resources.
Marian Kareem, a midwife, spoke powerfully about the significant role domestic violence plays in maternal health and mortality, urging other women to “always seek resources, seek support.”
Robinson highlighted the comprehensive support offered by the YWCA, including case management, counseling, and support groups, as well as assistance with forensic exams, court visits, and police reports.
“The whole point of the healing arts activity is to normalize coming into our center, where, if someone is interested, they could seek services,” she stated.
This workshop is part of a dynamic series. Previous sessions have included vision board making in July and abstract art in August, all designed to help individuals align their feelings with art and express emotions in a safe, creative space.
The series aims to help individuals feel grounded and empowered, staying present in the moment. The next workshop will focus on candle making with a purple theme.
In California, the impact of domestic violence is equally alarming. Data from the California Department of Public Health show that about 1 in 5 women and 1 in 7 men report experiencing severe physical violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime.
Reports from Kidsdata.org show that in 2023, California received 160,357 domestic-violence-related calls for assistance, approximately 6.1 calls per 1,000 adults ages 18–69.
Reports from the Public Policy Institute of California indicate that urban counties accounted for most of these calls, with 128,100 in urban areas, 24,600 in suburban areas, and 7,600 in rural areas.
The YWCA Greater Los Angeles welcomes requests for presentations on sexual abuse or domestic violence topics. Individuals interested in requesting a presentation or seeking support can contact their 24-hour crisis hotline at 1-877-940-3577.
The Healing Arts Workshop provides a vital platform for survivors to connect, share, and heal through the transformative power of art, reminding them that self-care is a lifestyle, not just a moment.
