Sexual Violence Survivors Drop In Support Group

Purpose:

The purpose of the Sexual Violence Survivors Drop In Support Group is to provide a needed refuge for people who have experienced sexual violence in their lives.

Currently, there are no free support options for LGBT individuals specifically on sexual violence, so this group aims to fill an identified community need that is not being addressed elsewhere. This drop in support group is not moderated by a therapist or other mental health professional, but is, rather, a supportive environment constructed by survivors of sexual violence.

While our intent is to hold supportive space for those who have experienced sexual violence [sexual assault, incest, non-consensual sexual interactions within an intimate relationship (domestic violence), as part of a hate crime, etc.], we welcome all who have been victims of violence regardless of their gender identity, sexual orientation, type of crime/assault committed against them.

Who is this group for?

No sexual violence survivor or "secondary victim" (partner, family member, friend, etc.) will be turned away. This means (but is not limited to):

• Gay and bisexual men
• Transgender folks (MTF, FTM, genderqueer, butch, boi, femme, crossdresser, transsexual, transgender, ____?___)
• Lesbian and bisexual women
• Male victims/survivors (of any sexual orientation)

What do you mean by sexual violence?

• People who were sexually assaulted as adults.
• People who were sexually abused as children.
• People who were sexually violated as a result of a hate crime.
• People who were in abusive intimate relationships, especially when sexual force/threats were used.
• People who were abused/assaulted by men, women or someone transgender.
• People who were abused/assaulted by family members, spouses, strangers, others.
• People who were victims of hate crimes based on their sexual orientation or gender identity
• People who were abused/assaulted by one, two, three or more perpetrators.

What will we talk about?

• What do YOU want to have someone hear?
• What do YOU need to hear from another survivor?
• We may not talk at all; sometimes being with other survivors is "enough"

 

Details:

Next Meeting: October 25, 2004

For more information please email Loree or michael at sv@forge-forward.org for more details (and/or to be put on the mailing list for this group). You can also call 414-278-6031.

Our commitment:

We understand that making a decision to come to a drop in support group of this nature may be scary and take time, so we promise to provide space for at least six months, beginning June 2004.