Beauty and Art as Pathways to Healing After Sexual Violence: A Comparative Study in the DRC and Canada

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This is a well-written paper addressing an important and underexplored topic: male survivors of sexual violence, with a focus on the DRC. The article fills a significant gap in the literature; however, it requires substantial revision to strengthen its scholarly contribution.

1. Methodology :  A clear methodological section is needed to specify data sources and distinguish between DRC-specific data and more general material. At present, the reader cannot always discern the origin and scope of the evidence.

2. Clarity of argument :  The paper promises to show how awe, wonder, compassion, and gratitude generate positive effects beyond the individual, but this link is not consistently demonstrated throughout. The relationship between these emotional states and the empirical data should be more systematically articulated.

3. Precision of scope :  It is not always clear whether “male survivors” refers to survivors in the DRC specifically or to a broader category. Greater precision would avoid generalizations.

4. Empirical linkages – The music healing program in the DRC is an interesting example but does not target male survivors specifically; the relevance to the central argument should be clarified. Similarly, the discussion of logotherapy is not clearly connected to the DRC case study.

5. Structure :  The historical overview of the DRC appears late (p. 11) and might be better placed earlier to contextualize the case study. The title suggests a focus “beyond” the DRC, yet the scope remains ambiguous and should be clarified.

Overall, the paper addresses an important gap in the literature but requires clearer methodological grounding, stronger integration of theory and data, and greater precision in scope before it can make a robust scholarly contribution.

Author Response

 

3. Methodology

3.1 Research Design

This article adopts a phenomenologically informed literature review. While no new field data were collected for this study, the methodological framework is shaped by the researcher’s prior phenomenological research on male survivors of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Phenomenology seeks to illuminate the lived experience of individuals and to distill those experiences into their essential structures (Creswell & Poth, 2017; Moustakas, 1994). In this context, the review draws on both DRC-specific studies and broader cross-cultural literature to identify common themes regarding trauma, recovery, and the restorative potential of beauty and awe.

3.2 Data Sources

The sources reviewed include:

• Peer-reviewed journal articles on sexual violence against men in conflict and post-conflict settings;
• Reports by NGOs, the UN, and human rights organizations documenting male sexual violence in the DRC;
• Cross-disciplinary scholarship in psychology, theology, philosophy, and aesthetics addressing beauty, awe, resilience, and post-traumatic growth.

To maintain transparency, evidence is consistently distinguished between:

1. DRC-specific data, primarily qualitative research, field reports, and case studies of male survivors of sexual violence in the eastern provinces;
2. General and cross-cultural materials, which provide theoretical insights into trauma, healing, and flourishing but are not specific to the Congolese context.

3.3 Research Questions

This article is guided by the following research questions:

1. How does conflict-related sexual violence against men in the DRC affect survivors’ psychological, relational, and spiritual well-being?
2. What role can beauty and awe play in supporting post-traumatic growth and flourishing for male survivors of sexual violence?
3. How do creative, communal, and culturally embedded practices (e.g., music, group therapy, ritual) contribute to healing for survivors in the DRC and beyond?
4. To what extent are insights from the DRC transferable to broader discussions of male sexual violence and recovery in other contexts?

3.4 Analytical Approach

A thematic synthesis was employed to integrate findings across diverse sources. Following Braun and Clarke’s (2006) model of thematic analysis, recurring patterns and themes were identified within and across DRC-specific and general studies. Special attention was given to:

• The intersection of masculinity, trauma, and cultural codes;
• The role of beauty, awe, and other transcendent emotional states (e.g., gratitude, compassion, wonder) in recovery;
• Collective and relational dimensions of healing, particularly through creative expression and community-based practices.

This approach enables the analysis to remain faithful to the lived experiences of male survivors in the DRC while also situating those experiences within broader frameworks of trauma recovery and human flourishing.

 

Revised abstract including a brief mention of the methodology section:

Conflict-related sexual violence against men in the Congo has profound psychological, emotional, and relational consequences. Despite this, male survivors can achieve post-traumatic growth through processes that rebuild fractured identities, foster personal resilience, and cultivate a renewed outlook on life. This paper employs a qualitative phenomenological approach to examine DRC-specific experiences of male survivors, analyzing how beauty and art contribute to trauma recovery. Drawing on case studies and survivor narratives, the paper explores how engagement with beauty—through music, visual arts, and other culturally grounded creative practices—supports psychological and spiritual well-being. Beauty is presented as a transformative force, illuminating moments of despair and enabling survivors to reclaim a sense of wholeness (Ferrucci, 2009; Varga et al., 2024). The study highlights culturally sensitive approaches that allow male survivors to engage with art as a medium for healing, emphasizing the challenges and potential of these interventions within the Congolese context. Findings underscore the centrality of beauty and creative expression in facilitating recovery for male survivors of sexual violence.

 

1. Clarity of argument :  The paper promises to show how awe, wonder, compassion, and gratitude generate positive effects beyond the individual, but this link is not consistently demonstrated throughout. The relationship between these emotional states and the empirical data should be more systematically articulated.

This is a valid point. To address this comment, I focus the title and article on male victims and survivors of sexual violence in the Congo.

1. Precision of scope :  It is not always clear whether “male survivors” refers to survivors in the DRC specifically or to a broader category. Greater precision would avoid generalizations.

To address this comment, I clarify the population (male survivors in the DRC) in the newly revised abstract and the first paragraph in the introduction. I took an extra step in the introduction to acknowledge potential generalizability in a culturally sensitive way.

1. Empirical linkages – The music healing program in the DRC is an interesting example but does not target male survivors specifically; the relevance to the central argument should be clarified. Similarly, the discussion of logotherapy is not clearly connected to the DRC case study.

To address the comment on logotherapy not being clearly connected to the DRC case study, I added the following to show those ties, “The application of logotherapy in the context of male survivors of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) offers insights into culturally sensitive trauma recovery approaches. Although logotherapy was not originally designed for this population, its emphasis on meaning-making and creative expression provides a framework to support male survivors in processing conflict-related sexual trauma” (416-421). I also added, “This framework can be applied to understand how male survivors of sexual violence in the DRC may use creative and culturally resonant means, such as art, to reconstruct meaning and purpose in their lives, providing an empirically grounded connection between logotherapy and the experiences of this specific population” (466-470).

 

I also revised the music section (555-668) with additions that emphasize music as a central part of life, expression, healing, and meaning-making in the Congo, and a clear link to male survivors.

1. Structure :  The historical overview of the DRC appears late (p. 11) and might be better placed earlier to contextualize the case study. The title suggests a focus “beyond” the DRC, yet the scope remains ambiguous and should be clarified.

I created a new section in the introduction title, “Global/Historical Context of Art and Beauty in Healing, Contextualizing the DRC” to address the historical overview of the DRC.

We have revised the manuscript to remove the term “beyond” in the title and clarified the scope. The focus is now explicitly on male survivors in the DRC. In the introduction, we highlight the universality of art as a culturally resonant and expressive medium, emphasizing its potential as a “universal language” for healing across diverse contexts in a culturally sensitive way.

Overall, the paper addresses an important gap in the literature but requires clearer methodological grounding, stronger integration of theory and data, and greater precision in scope before it can make a robust scholarly contribution.

Thank you for the valuable feedback. It is well appreciated.

3. Methodology

3.1 Research Design

This article adopts a phenomenologically informed literature review. While no new field data were collected for this study, the methodological framework is shaped by the researcher’s prior phenomenological research on male survivors of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Phenomenology seeks to illuminate the lived experience of individuals and to distill those experiences into their essential structures (Creswell & Poth, 2017; Moustakas, 1994). In this context, the review draws on both DRC-specific studies and broader cross-cultural literature to identify common themes regarding trauma, recovery, and the restorative potential of beauty and awe.

3.2 Data Sources

The sources reviewed include:

• Peer-reviewed journal articles on sexual violence against men in conflict and post-conflict settings;
• Reports by NGOs, the UN, and human rights organizations documenting male sexual violence in the DRC;
• Cross-disciplinary scholarship in psychology, theology, philosophy, and aesthetics addressing beauty, awe, resilience, and post-traumatic growth.

To maintain transparency, evidence is consistently distinguished between:

1. DRC-specific data, primarily qualitative research, field reports, and case studies of male survivors of sexual violence in the eastern provinces;
2. General and cross-cultural materials, which provide theoretical insights into trauma, healing, and flourishing but are not specific to the Congolese context.

3.3 Research Questions

This article is guided by the following research questions:

1. How does conflict-related sexual violence against men in the DRC affect survivors’ psychological, relational, and spiritual well-being?
2. What role can beauty and awe play in supporting post-traumatic growth and flourishing for male survivors of sexual violence?
3. How do creative, communal, and culturally embedded practices (e.g., music, group therapy, ritual) contribute to healing for survivors in the DRC and beyond?
4. To what extent are insights from the DRC transferable to broader discussions of male sexual violence and recovery in other contexts?

3.4 Analytical Approach

A thematic synthesis was employed to integrate findings across diverse sources. Following Braun and Clarke’s (2006) model of thematic analysis, recurring patterns and themes were identified within and across DRC-specific and general studies. Special attention was given to:

• The intersection of masculinity, trauma, and cultural codes;
• The role of beauty, awe, and other transcendent emotional states (e.g., gratitude, compassion, wonder) in recovery;
• Collective and relational dimensions of healing, particularly through creative expression and community-based practices.

This approach enables the analysis to remain faithful to the lived experiences of male survivors in the DRC while also situating those experiences within broader frameworks of trauma recovery and human flourishing.

 

Revised abstract including a brief mention of the methodology section:

Conflict-related sexual violence against men in the Congo has profound psychological, emotional, and relational consequences. Despite this, male survivors can achieve post-traumatic growth through processes that rebuild fractured identities, foster personal resilience, and cultivate a renewed outlook on life. This paper employs a qualitative phenomenological approach to examine DRC-specific experiences of male survivors, analyzing how beauty and art contribute to trauma recovery. Drawing on case studies and survivor narratives, the paper explores how engagement with beauty—through music, visual arts, and other culturally grounded creative practices—supports psychological and spiritual well-being. Beauty is presented as a transformative force, illuminating moments of despair and enabling survivors to reclaim a sense of wholeness (Ferrucci, 2009; Varga et al., 2024). The study highlights culturally sensitive approaches that allow male survivors to engage with art as a medium for healing, emphasizing the challenges and potential of these interventions within the Congolese context. Findings underscore the centrality of beauty and creative expression in facilitating recovery for male survivors of sexual violence.

 

1. Clarity of argument :  The paper promises to show how awe, wonder, compassion, and gratitude generate positive effects beyond the individual, but this link is not consistently demonstrated throughout. The relationship between these emotional states and the empirical data should be more systematically articulated.

This is a valid point. To address this comment, I focus the title and article on male victims and survivors of sexual violence in the Congo.

1. Precision of scope :  It is not always clear whether “male survivors” refers to survivors in the DRC specifically or to a broader category. Greater precision would avoid generalizations.

To address this comment, I clarify the population (male survivors in the DRC) in the newly revised abstract and the first paragraph in the introduction. I took an extra step in the introduction to acknowledge potential generalizability in a culturally sensitive way.

1. Empirical linkages – The music healing program in the DRC is an interesting example but does not target male survivors specifically; the relevance to the central argument should be clarified. Similarly, the discussion of logotherapy is not clearly connected to the DRC case study.

To address the comment on logotherapy not being clearly connected to the DRC case study, I added the following to show those ties, “The application of logotherapy in the context of male survivors of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) offers insights into culturally sensitive trauma recovery approaches. Although logotherapy was not originally designed for this population, its emphasis on meaning-making and creative expression provides a framework to support male survivors in processing conflict-related sexual trauma” (416-421). I also added, “This framework can be applied to understand how male survivors of sexual violence in the DRC may use creative and culturally resonant means, such as art, to reconstruct meaning and purpose in their lives, providing an empirically grounded connection between logotherapy and the experiences of this specific population” (466-470).

 

I also revised the music section (555-668) with additions that emphasize music as a central part of life, expression, healing, and meaning-making in the Congo, and a clear link to male survivors.

1. Structure :  The historical overview of the DRC appears late (p. 11) and might be better placed earlier to contextualize the case study. The title suggests a focus “beyond” the DRC, yet the scope remains ambiguous and should be clarified.

I created a new section in the introduction title, “Global/Historical Context of Art and Beauty in Healing, Contextualizing the DRC” to address the historical overview of the DRC.

We have revised the manuscript to remove the term “beyond” in the title and clarified the scope. The focus is now explicitly on male survivors in the DRC. In the introduction, we highlight the universality of art as a culturally resonant and expressive medium, emphasizing its potential as a “universal language” for healing across diverse contexts in a culturally sensitive way.

Overall, the paper addresses an important gap in the literature but requires clearer methodological grounding, stronger integration of theory and data, and greater precision in scope before it can make a robust scholarly contribution.

Thank you for the valuable feedback. It is well appreciated.

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Thank you for a significant exploration of the use of beauty and creativity in healing for conflict-related sexual violence against men in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In my view, greater understanding of the impact of this violence on men makes a significant contribution since the burdens of sexual violence against men are not widely studied and understood; additionally, addressing the consequences of violence against men may also inform and influence the pandemic of violence against women and men. 

The main recommendations I have are for a stronger organization to make the arguments flow better. The use of headers for the argument is helpful for the reader, however, the material in these sections often does not align closely enough with the headers. For instance, in the section defining trauma some frameworks of trauma are initially discussed but become muddled by shifting to discussions of methods of healing. There would be greater clarity if there was a section defining consequences of trauma and a distinct section on methods of healing. Likewise, the impact on men is discussed in various places with some relevant history included much later. A more robust structure would avoid the reader seeming to bounce back and forth on themes and would also underscore the methods and effectiveness of beauty more. 

In the very long introduction, key ideas are touched upon (beauty, trauma, etc) but could use more development. In section 2, effects and perceptions of beauty are combined, however, the article does not develop the impact on perceptions of beauty sufficiently. The discussion of purpose and meaning is significant - I did wonder if there were additional sources beyond Frankl that would include cultural distinctions and contexts for Congolese men? While the Holocaust is an understandable analog for radical suffering, it also does not provide specific Congolese insights into the compounding particularities of suffering.

In the latter part of the article there is helpful, detailed reference to the history of violence and genocide in the Congo - this would be helpful earlier in the article to aid in understanding the direct and historical trauma experienced by the male Congolese survivors. 

While the focus on male survivors is central to the article, given the interpersonal nature of sexual violence and the repeated discussion of interpersonal dimensions of trauma, I wondered how the sexual violence experienced by Congolese women and their approaches to survival and healing also inform that of the Congolese men? 

I found the sections on Group Therapy and Music two of the most effective demonstrations of the role of beauty in the journey of healing. I think they would be more powerful with stronger overall organization - instead of beginning the whole article with beauty - the reader may benefit from first understanding the history and consequences of sexual violence experienced in the Congo, including the resulting frameworks of trauma that offer descriptive understanding. Then combining the sections of specific methods for healing that employ beauty, art, and creativity - including the in-depth consideration of how beauty can help to re-build meaning, understandings of masculinity, and resilience. The analogy of the music of spirituals that emerged from slavery powerfully demonstrates how beauty makes it possible for the spirit to transcend atrocities. A stronger organization would bring home the fact of resilience and creation of beauty by Congolese survivors and elevate the focus on this amazing strength and endurance. 

A question that persist by the end is what impact does beauty in the process of healing have on interpersonal relationships for survivors? I think I received an inkling of insight but wanted it to be addressed a bit more directly.

My work centers on spirituality in the context of healing from sexual and interpersonal violence against women and children so I did wonder if this idea could be brought forward a bit more directly as it is identified as a significant field in the conclusion. 

Thank you for this important work. 

 

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

 

Here’s a clear breakdown of what the reviewer wants you to address, in bullet-point form:

• Stronger organization and flow:
  • Align section content more closely with headers.
  • Separate definitions of trauma, consequences of trauma, and methods of healing into distinct sections.
  • Move historical context of sexual violence and the DRC earlier in the manuscript.

Thank you for this helpful feedback. I have revised the structure of the manuscript to strengthen the flow and alignment between sections. Specifically, I separated the definitions of trauma, the consequences of trauma, and methods of healing into distinct sections for greater clarity. I also moved the historical context of sexual violence in the DRC earlier in the manuscript to better contextualize the case study. These changes were made to ensure that each section closely aligns with its header and that the overall argument flows more cohesively.

• Focus on male survivors:
  • Emphasize the impact of sexual violence on men.
  • Include culturally specific insights on Congolese men’s experiences of trauma and resilience.
  • Where relevant, link to women’s experiences without shifting focus from men.
  •  

Thank you for highlighting the importance of clarifying the focus on male survivors. In the revised manuscript, the Introduction has been restructured to foreground the psychological, relational, and spiritual impacts of conflict-related sexual violence on men in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This section now emphasizes the profound consequences for male survivors, including stigma, loss of masculine identity, community rejection, and deep interpersonal ruptures. I have also included culturally specific insights into Congolese men’s experiences, underscoring how sexual violence functions as a weapon of war and how creative, community-based practices such as storytelling, music, and ritual are vital to culturally grounded healing processes.

While the focus remains on male survivors, I have also acknowledged the broader relevance of these insights without shifting the emphasis away from men. I chose to center this article specifically on male sexual violence because it is an underreported and underacknowledged issue, particularly in comparison to sexual violence against women, who represent the disproportionate majority of survivors. This narrower focus allows me to contribute to filling a critical gap in the literature. At the same time, I am currently developing another article that will more directly explore the differences and similarities between male and female survivors of sexual violence in conflict settings.

I believe these revisions ensure that the manuscript maintains a clear, consistent focus on male survivors while situating their experiences within the cultural and historical context of the DRC.

 

• Introduction and key concepts:
• • Expand discussion of beauty, trauma, and purpose/meaning.
  • Include cultural distinctions in meaning-making beyond Frankl’s logotherapy.

We have expanded the Introduction to discuss beauty, trauma, and purpose/meaning, and incorporated cultural distinctions in meaning-making beyond Frankl’s logotherapy, including context-specific and creative approaches for male survivors of sexual violence in the DRC.

• Art and healing:
  • Strengthen discussion of beauty, art, and music as methods of healing.
  • Consolidate music and creative expression sections.
  • Show how these methods rebuild meaning, masculinity, and resilience.

Thank you for this helpful comment. I have strengthened the discussion of beauty, art, and music as methods of healing, consolidated the music and creative expression sections, and demonstrated how these methods rebuild meaning, resilience, and masculinity for male survivors.

• Historical analogies:
  • Keep examples like freedom songs and spirituals but clarify relevance to Congolese context.

We have added a sentence explicitly linking Congolese music and artistic practices to historical examples such as freedom songs and spirituals, highlighting parallels in resilience, community healing, and meaning-making in contexts of systemic oppression.

•  

• Interpersonal and spiritual aspects:
  • Address how beauty and healing affect interpersonal relationships.
  • Highlight role of spirituality in recovery and community reintegration.

Yes, this comment has been addressed. Interpersonal relationships are discussed in the Discussion section through references to connectivity, solidarity, mutual support, community healing, and group settings, which highlight the interpersonal dimension of beauty and healing. Spirituality is incorporated through the discussion of Frankl’s logotherapy (mind–body–spirit inseparability, noetic/spiritual dimension), as well as references to beauty, transcendence, and meaning-making. In addition, I strengthened this point by adding a sentence in the Meaning of Life section and in the Discussion section that explicitly link spirituality to community reintegration

• Global context:
  • Make clear how Congolese experiences fit into broader discussions of art and healing.

We have explicitly connected Congolese survivors’ use of art to broader global discussions on trauma, healing, and meaning-making, highlighting both cultural specificity and the universal role of art in fostering resilience throughout the text and discussion section.

If you want, I can map your current manuscript sections to these bullets to show exactly where revisions are needed. Do you want me to do that?

 

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

• This title is too long and confusing. Suggested revision: The Significance of Beauty and Art [not Awe] in the Process of Flourishing After Sexual Trauma in Congo
• Lines 530-553: This should be near the beginning to better inform the reader about the context of Congo. Perhaps also add the paragraph of rape as a weapon of war directly following.
• Final paragraph of section 2: This can be cut. It doesn’t contribute much to the overall goals of the paper.
• I think “awe” can be removed from the discussion (and title) and should be replaced with “art.”
• Line 617: Replace “data” with “review.”
• Line 619: Replace “findings” with “review.”

Author Response

 

Are the research design, questions, hypotheses and methods clearly stated?   I have added a methodology section addressing these concerns.

( )

For empirical research, are the results clearly presented?

Thank you for this observation. While this study is primarily qualitative and conceptual, the findings are clearly presented through the structured discussion of themes derived from the literature and documented interventions in the DRC. The results focus on:

1. Psychological, relational, and spiritual impactsof conflict-related sexual violence on male survivors.
2. The role of beauty and art—including music, dance, storytelling, and visual arts—in supporting post-traumatic growth and meaning-making.
3. Creative, communal, and culturally embedded practices(e.g., group therapy, ritual, community music programs) and their contributions to individual and collective healing.
4. Transferability of insightsfrom the DRC to broader contexts of male sexual violence and recovery.

These themes are supported by specific programmatic examples, such as the Healing in Harmony music therapy initiative, and linked explicitly to the research questions. To further enhance clarity, we have reorganized the discussion and conclusion sections to directly address each research question, making the presentation of results more explicit and aligned with the study’s aims.

This title is too long and confusing. Suggested revision: The Significance of Beauty and Art [not Awe] in the Process of Flourishing After Sexual Trauma in Congo

 

New title: Beauty and Art as Pathways to Flourishing After Sexual Violence in Congo

Lines 530-553: This should be near the beginning to better inform the reader about the context of Congo. Perhaps also add the paragraph of rape as a weapon of war directly following.

 

Thank you for your feedback. I’ve addressed this by creating a section in the introduction titled, “1.2. Global/Historical Context of Art and Beauty in Healing, Contextualizing the DRC”

 

 

Final paragraph of section 2: This can be cut. It doesn’t contribute much to the overall goals of the paper.

 

I don't know what the final paragraph of section 2 is. Please clarify by text number.

 

I think “awe” can be removed from the discussion (and title) and should be replaced with “art.”

 

Done 

 

Line 617: Replace “data” with “review,” and Line 619: Replace “findings” with “review.”

 

We re-worked the whole conclusion section. These comments were addressed. 

 

 

 

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

A strong revision and reorganization has improved the flow. There is a stronger logical structure as well. There were only two components that I thought could be stronger:

1) the section on methodology does not seem to belong where it has been inserted in the overall structure of the paper and I wondered why the research design (a literature review) was not addressed earlier. 

2) Since a qualitative phenomenological approach guides the work, I wondered why there are only quotations from Holocaust survivors. It is unclear if the strategies for healing using beauty and logotherapy have been employed or if they are being recommended. If the first, then based on the case studies and field reports referred to and the qualitative phenomenological approach, the voices of DRC male survivors are missing. 

I think if these 2 components can be addressed the article should proceed. It is an important contribution.

Author Response

 

Dear Reviewer,

Thank you for your thoughtful feedback on my manuscript. You noted that the English language and grammar could benefit from improvement. In response, I carefully revised the manuscript to enhance clarity, flow, and readability. These revisions focused on smoothing phrasing, correcting grammatical inconsistencies, and strengthening academic style while preserving the original meaning of the text.

No substantive changes were made to the arguments, findings, or conclusions of the manuscript. The edits were strictly linguistic, ensuring that the text now reads more fluently and meets academic writing standards.

I greatly appreciate your observation, which has allowed me to present the work more clearly.

Sincerely