Sexual Assault Support Groups - Top 10 Curricula Factors

Transcription

1 Trauma Informed Care in Core Services: Support Groups Elizabeth Balcarcel Technical Assistance Specialist Leah Green Rural Technical Assistance Specialist Thank you, OVW! This project was supported by Grant No TA-AX-K043 awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this program are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women. Objectives Present an overview of the factors of setting up a support group Supply information about curricula Provide concrete ideas for how to make your groups successful and trauma informed 1

2 Does your agency currently have a sexual assault support group? Support Groups Survivors can find strength by connecting to each other. While every survivor's experience is unique, being in a room with people who have had similar experiences can be a powerful form of support and validation. Groups promote a feeling of empowerment, as survivors see each others strengths and gain hope. -Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs Approach Hear other survivors speak Provide peer level support A unique form of healing 2

3 Open Groups A group in which participants are able to attend as frequently as they want and new participants are always welcome Closed Groups A group in which there is a set start and end date and a set number of participants Victimization type Gender Age Sexuality Primary language Race/Ethnicity Secondary survivors Types of Groups 3

4 Types of Groups Collaborations with other organizations Jails/prisons Mental health providers Substance abuse facilities Spiritual groups Naming Your Group Courageous Women (holistic SA group) AMAC (Adults Molested As Children) Proud Survivors (LGBT+ SA group) What have you named your group? Frequency Most beginning support groups meet weekly One-time groups 4

5 Choosing a Location DV/SA program Local organizations/social service agencies Schools Religious centers Community centers Libraries Choosing a Time Church/religious schedules Organization/community meetings Any available transportation opportunities School schedules Facilitators Having two facilitators is ideal but the number of facilitators should be tailored to the number of participants 5

6 Schools Social service agencies Religious centers Community centers Public library Grocery stores Gas stations Marketing Local radio station Childcare centers Salons Walmart Bulletin boards Bathroom stalls Social media Marketing What the group is about/who is welcome Contact information to RSVP/follow up questions What they should expect to get out of it The Space Comfortable sitting space, pillows Snacks and beverages Arrange the sitting space Avoid excessively bright lighting Tissues available What accommodations have you made to your spaces? 6

7 Screening Screen IN not OUT Provide synopsis about the group Find out why they are interested What kind of support system they have Screening Where to park How to get in the building Who might be present We are expecting seven people My coworker Mary will also be facilitating Curricula/Resources Seeking Safety (available in English and Spanish) Circle of Hope Trauma Recovery and Empowerment by Maxine Harris 7

8 Curricula/Resources Growing Beyond Survival by Elizabeth Vermilyea The Power of Social Connection (NCCASA) The Courage to Heal Workbook & Allies in Healing What curricula and resources have you used? Curricula: Creating Your Own Providing a check-in question or jumping off point Pull things you like or think will be helpful from other curricula or books Incorporate activities or art projects Curricula: Creating Your Own Yoga Exercise & movement Meditation & mindfulness Art Music Outdoors What topics have you addressed with your group? 8

9 Creating Group Agreements What language is respectful How to appropriately address others Importance of respecting how others feel Always ok to not share or not want feedback Asking permission Creating Group Agreements How they wish to be addressed What brings them to the group What have you included in your group agreements or check ins? Where they are in the healing process Nothing at all Icebreaker Debriefing Jot down notes after participants have left What worked for this group What participants didn t seem to respond to Feedback from participants Topics that might work for the next session 9

10 What s Next? Celebration or party Craft or art project to take with them Info on social activism or bystander intervention Leave them alone to exchange contact info Information on a step 2 type group Volunteering information A certificate Spanish Speaking Groups Be aware of Spanish variations Regular offices hours may not work for them Emphasize confidentiality Approach them in their own environment Simplify topics or concepts Provide food and childcare Feedback and Evaluation Ask volunteers and community members about the publicity Frequent and intentional communication Provide anonymous feedback forms Keep, lose, start 10

11 Questions? Thank you! Leah Green Rural Technical Assistance Specialist Elizabeth Balcarcel Technical Assistance Specialist 11