Exploring how Product Design can be used to help victims of sexual assault

1. SEXUAL HEALING
THROUGH
DESIGN
ILKER
KARAYILAN

2. SEX AFTER TRAUMA
Victims of sexual assault often experience
difficulty of a fulfilling sex life.
While most of the treatment offered to
victims focuses on the emotional and
psychological aspects of the damage.
However, people are often left to work out for
themselves what sex after a trauma looks like
for them.
2

3. Survivors of sexual assault and rape, their body is taken away
from them.
But when they are ready to start thinking about sex, after they’ve
had therapy and counselling, there is nowhere to go.

4. Rather than a clinical approach to
recovery.
Reprogramming how people deal with
physical sensation from different
stimulus will accelerate the recovery
and dislodge the association between
trauma and intimacy.
However, the tools that will be provided,
are designed to give the survivor the
opportunity to explore their personal
sexual recovery.
4 SLOW DOWN AND RELAX

5. ”
non-fleshy, non-phallic and non-penetrative tools

6. THE AIM
This study, is exploring how design can help victims and survivors
of sexual assault. By granting people permission to explore sex
again in a healthy, safe environment and without the physical
pressure that can come with having a partner.
This could be achieved through designing sensual objects that
don’t resemble traditional adult toys. But rather focuses on
restoring the confidence of touch and intimacy.
6

7. 7
Mirror
Designed to help you view
yourself better and in a
non-intimidating way
Soft Brush
Designed to help you not
recoil to the sense of touch
Pebble
Designed to help the victim
explore different parts of
their body in a non
intrusive manner. It could
also remind the user to
slow and and concentrate.

8. While there is the opportunity to explore this and design more products
that focus on different aspects of trauma.
It is also important that these therapeutic products adapt with the user.
And not let them fall into a trap where these products become and
everyday tool.