In spite of constitutional guarantee of safety and security of the citizenry, LGBTQ individuals are victims of homophobic violence in Ghana. Among those who incite physical and psychological attacks on them are religious leaders expected to be epitomes of mercy for all. (Appiah & Gates, 2017). The situation is worse in Nima, a predominant Muslim community in Accra. In a qualitatively interpretive approach, this presentation uses the purposive sampling technique to find answers to the following questions: 1. Why do leaders of morality encourage violence against innocent people? 2. Could the religious leaders consider dialogue? 3. How can they reconcile the peace they preach and the violence they encourage? 4. Is the LGBTQ community ready for dialogue? In all, ten Imams, ten human rights activists, and ten LGBTQ individuals were interviewed. Literature reviewed includes relevant verses of Quran and secular materials on human rights. Analyses and findings center on four main dimensions: Islamic moral obligation of mercy for all, constitutional guarantee for human dignity and liberty, African culture on fellow feeling, and United Nations declaration of human rights. Results reveal ignorance and emotions as the major factors of the religious inclined violence against LGBTQ community. The conclusion is that the violence against LGBTQ individuals defeats the purposes of all the four dimensions constituting the center of analysis and findings. Besides, the religious leaders do not appreciate the limitation of faith in a secular society. Among other recommendations, this presentation calls on religious leaders to consider dialogue and reasoning instead of animosity and emotions in their dealings with members of the LGBTQ community.

Presentation Objectives:

· Highlight the dangers of religious motivated violence against LGBTQ individuals

· Answer the question of why religious leaders who preach peace incite violence against the LGBTQ community

· Discuss how liberty, safety, and security of LGBTQ individuals can be ensured in all religious communities

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Art therapy is an effective way to assist in survivors’ recovery (Kometiani, 2020; Kometiani & Farmer, 2019; Tan, 2012). Art therapy groups for survivors of sex trafficking offer a potential for healing relationships, an opportunity to experience control, a way to process loss and integrate the past, and increase positive self-identity. Through emotional processing, establishing a community of support, increasing a sense of self-efficacy, and reintegrating trauma, survivors experience hope through participating in art therapy. The arts connect us to meaning beyond ourselves (van Der Kolk, 2014), and this presentation illuminates hope for survivors as the possibility of light after darkness. The presenter will define the practice of art therapy and provide an overview of the research regarding art therapy with survivors of sex trafficking. This presentation validates the compelling benefits of art therapy facilitated by a registered, board certified art therapist through several case studies of female survivors from a safe house setting. Various, structured interventions, goals, and outcomes are explored, and survivor artwork is examined to reveal symbolism and meaning. These case examples demonstrate that art therapy aids in recovery through experiencing empowerment, emotional processing and reintegration of trauma, increases self-worth, and establishes hope and supportive relationships.

Presentation Objectives:

· Define the practice of art therapy and describe the professional requirements for art therapists

· Provide overview of research regarding art therapy with survivors of sex trafficking

· Discuss art therapy interventions that benefit trafficked survivors

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