The function of theatre in terms of rehabilitation of the children who are victims of violence

This thesis work entitled The Function of Theatre in Terms of Rehabilitation of the Children Who Are Victims of Violence, aims at studying what kind of function theatre arts could induce in the rehabilitation of the children who suffered violence. In this work, by putting ample emphasis on the importance of arts in the rehabilitation of the children exposed to violence, especially functions and distinctive features of theatre drama, and children plays in the rehabilitation process have been dwelt on. In this thesis work of four chapters, following the Introduction, the Second Chapter presents the definition of violence in general terms, and then details and highlights the sources of violence and domestic violence in particular. In the Third Chapter of the thesis, where the child and violence inflicted upon children are elaborated, the subjects related to child, child identity, violence directed at children and the varieties of violence are covered. In the Fourth Chapter which bears the same title of this thesis, after having addressed the arts, theatre, drama and the relationship between play and child on the whole, the effects and results of theatre art and drama works on the rehabilitation process of the children who are victims of violence, as individuals either watching those activities or participating in the plays, have been presented through case-studies and expert opinions. In the making of my thesis, I made use of related written sources, Internet data, film, documentary and video recordings, news coverage, staged theatre plays and the interviews with the specialists in the field (Informatics Expert İsa Altun; Theatre Trainer Selim Canpolat; Founder of Lika Theatre Caner Demir; Psychotherapist Dr. Serkan Doğan; Academician – Psychologist Writer Prof. Dr. Üstün Dökmen; English Teacher Sinem Eraslangün; Psychologist Writer Şebnem Özkan; Retired Police Chief Leman Süheyla Soylu; Istanbul University, Medical School, Forensic Medicine Department's Faculty Member Prof. Dr. Mehmet Şevki Sözen; Actor Turgay Tanülkü; Police Chief Dr. Bülent Tansel; Academician Dr. Nebiye Yaşar). Through this work, I aimed at providing a reliable source for the researchers and practitioners interested in the subject. Keywords: Child, Theatre, Play-Drama, Victim of Violence, Rehabilitation,