I have started an abuse survivor group?

Question

I have started an abuse survivor group, how do I go about people joining to make it the best possible? I want this to be a seriously taken group where people could come and safely talk to get help and help others through their own stories. What do I do and how do I do it?
Thanks for responding......lets hope I can at least help 1 other that is in the same situation I was in.

Answer 1

I started successful abuse survivor groups back in 1988. The local crisis hot-line thought it was good too and started using it at the crisis center. Several other counseling groups in the area eventually adapted the format for their groups.

I passed out flyers at AA meetings, ACDF meetings, with friends I had made there, and posted flyers at counseling offices (I asked permission first). Then I screened every potential group member. I had a list of questions to determine if they could operate in a group which required mandatory attendance for 8 weeks. I also had a list of questions about following the rules.

People who attended went on a first name basis and some used pseudonyms. Just like in the AA format, no cross talking was allowed and members had to share about their experience. No commenting on another's story was allowed. And the reason for that was so that people would feel safe sharing without someone saying things which weren't supportive. What feels supportive to one person, may or may not feel supportive to another.

I found that with the commitment of 8 weeks this afforded faster closeness because everyone knew that the others would be there. I didn't allow any new members after the group started. If a person couldn't attend the first meeting, I'd have them attend the next group.

At one point I had 5 groups operating at once. I charged a small fee for group membership for the 8 weeks. I found this helped with commitment to the group time frame.

If you want serious commitment, you have to create an atmosphere for safe sharing. What feels safe to you? To others? Then develop a format and rules which keep people safe. That goes for your screening questions too.

For me, it was a place I could share my story and I knew not one single person would say, "That can't be true." Rather every person could easily relate to my horrors and me theirs. We were survivors!

Answer 2

I would get the info to as many groups as possible. Some communities even have a free public announcements for TV & radio, etc. Start a website if you haven't already. Congrats on being a survivor! I'm one too. Good luck & God bless!

(Maybe even write Oprah!!!)

Answer 3

u mean online good idea. I was abused by employers/system not my family good luck with ur group u can set it up thru yahoo groups if u like

offline make flyres past them out at shelters put on store/campus bulletin board don't use ur home though cause some of the abusers may target u a church or some think the legoin or vfw or lions college will give or low rent u space

Also see if look mental health service will refer u here they are waste of space but maybe urs are better

Answer 4

Call your local hospital and ask for the Behavioral Health or Social Services department. They can help you find someone to counsel you. Also, if you have a Victim's Advocates group in your city-this would be listed in the phone book.

Answer 5

This is a good start. Uh, hospitals and churches and schools. I would recommend seeking the assistance of a licensed counselor to help. Some places may allow you to use their building as a meeting place. Congratulations on using your situation to help others. You should be very proud of yourself!

Answer 6

you could present your plan to an Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous or Adult children of alcoholics...also known as ACOA...group .try those groups, alot of those people are abuse survivors from almost every aspect, abuse from parents and spouses and relatives.....it should be a good start...alot of them meet at churchs and stuff like that.....you could call a place called "intergroup". google it!

Answer 7

Perhaps you could look for groups in your area that already do this, or organizations that work with abuse victims.

Answer 8

what is an a abuse survivor group

I'm bad but with out the feedback I don't get it

i am sorry but to me you not hitting the mustard to me

Answer 9

go around your school or neighborhood and Tell people what u is trying to do and people just might join but remember never give up

Answer 10

Great idea!
I would call you local shelters and hand out flyer's or ask them to help you get started.