How do I go about starting a group/ or awareness for incest victims?

Answer 1

If you yourself are not trained, I recommend you get in touch with a local agency or treatment center that specializes in order to have a trained facilitator present.

Your intentions are admirable, and support groups are very much needed. But if safeguards are not in place for folks, then the level of vulnerability they will be at can put them at risk for re-traumatization.

There are agencies and groups that can help you initiate a new home group. One I can think of is Adult Survivors of Child Abuse (they have a manual I happen to like, but I think it's more physical than sexual abuse survivors). Another resource is Survivors of Incest Anonymous. Finally, you can also check out Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network (RAINN) - associated with Tori Amos, if you're familiar at all.

Answer 2

Unless you are a counselor, that isn't something you just start. People need to have a professional on hand to help them deal with what comes up, without that kind of help, it could be dangerous for them emotionally. You never know if those memories, plus other problems, could push someone over the edge.

I think your heart is in the right place though so talk to someone who is a counselor and see if you can collaborate on it somehow.

Answer 3

You can look in your phone book for a hot line number and they can point you in the right direction, ot as someone else stated put up posters or a newpaper add, what you do make sure the meeting place is safe for all of you, I have been in your shoes and i hope this helps you out

Answer 4

If I were you, I would post an add in the classified section of several newspapers. Choose a meeting place, maybe a library. Good idea and good luck!

Answer 5

Try searching for a local group with www.guidestar.org. They'll give you links to local groups -- you probably don't need to start one, just join one.