Bloom

Project about sexual transgression

 

Sexual transgression is an important problem in society. Every year a large number of people worldwide have to deal with this situation. In the Netherlands, about one out of three women is confronted with sexual violence and about one out of twenty men. It is a difficult topic to talk about, and a taboo that needs to be broken.

People who have experienced sexual transgression can suffer trauma as a result of such a violent experience. There is a likely chance that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and rising sexual problems may result in the aftermath of this experience. But can we shed a light on hope?

With this project I want to visualize the process of healing after sexual transgression. Poetic images that reflect my feelings combined with images of the exact location where I was sexually abused myself. Deep valleys but also high peaks I have experienced since. Because I found the strength to talk about my experience, I could really give trauma a place. By opening up I have met wonderful women who are all very powerful. They have been an example for me during this process. Some of these women have been portrayed for BLOOM and together we share the same message: ‘Yes there is hope! We need to highlight and share this topic together’.

The book ‘Bloom’ is published in collaboration with Bruno Devos from Hopper & Fuchs.

If you want a copy of the book, please send me an email.

 

This series also consists of portraits of women who have experienced sexually transgressive behaviour.