Facilitating a Pilot Support Group for Survivors of Sexual Assault

Facilitating a Pilot Support Group for Survivors of Sexual Assault
Beth Montplaisir
Safe Office
Introduction
Group Description
In December 2014, the Safe Office was met with
students interested in establishing a pilot support group
for female-identified survivors of sexual assault.
Students reported awareness of support resources
available immediately following experiences of sexual
assault, but recognized that campus lacked a space for
survivors to engage in a longer healing process
together. This observation was also noted within the
Safe Office’s ongoing gap analysis of prevention and
advocacy services offered at Wake Forest University.
In partnership with students, the Safe Office is offering
a weekly support group for female-identified survivors
of sexualized violence. The group will be a confidential
space where survivors and supporters are welcome to
be together.
• Facilitator(s): Beth Montplaisir & Kelsey Bullard
0%
1
20%
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
4
80%
• Group Check In Prompt
• Confidentiality: Agreement signed by all members
0
0% 0%
Disagree
Weekly Meeting Structure:
Components Considered Included:
Participation in this group helped to increase my
feelings
of being supported
in my healing process.
0
0
I learned at least one new coping strategy
through participating
in group.
0
0
0%
0
0% 0%
• Requests for Individual Time
Strongly Agree
• Activity and Discussion Prompt
• Content of Meetings: Topic(s) Student-Driven
2
40%
• Closing Thoughts
• Location and Space: Davis Indpt. Student Lounge
• Frequency of Meetings: Weekly; Spring 2015
Strongly Disagree
Agree
Neutral
Group Content Outline:
3
60%
Disagree
Week One (2/24): Group Guidelines and Topics
• Duration of Meetings: 1 hour; 6-7pm
Strongly Disagree
Week Two (3/4): Building Community
• Membership: Open through Spring 2015 Semester
Member Recruitment
Week Three (3/25): Coping Skills
Week Four (4/1): Relationship Values
Week Five (4/8): Monument Quilt Squares
• Students created a flier for campus and listservs
• Student announcements in organization meetings
Week Six (4/15): Personal Strengths
Week Seven (4/22): Summer Self-Care & Termination
• Student posts on social media
What is at least one thing you learned in group?
• Self-forgiveness (more of it).
• It’s okay to be vulnerable.
• I am not alone.
• Strategies of being supportive to fellow survivors.
An individual screening with Safe Office Staff was
required for all individuals interested in attending the
support group. Screening lasted 30-60 minutes.
• Even though I’m a survivor, I can’t say I understand
how other survivors feel because our
stories/experiences are so different.
Conclusions
Sexual Assault Support Group:
Individual Screenings Feb. 2015 – April 2015
Total Individuals Screened
12
Individuals Screened with No Previous Contact
with Safe Office Resources
8
The pilot seems to have been successful in providing a
safe space for female-identified survivors of sexual
assault to learn skills to heal together in a supportive
environment.
Outcomes
Individuals Screened Out for Safety Concerns and
Connected to Higher Level of Care Resources
2
Individuals Screened and Invited to Join Group Experience
10
Individuals who attended at least one group meeting
were invited to complete questionnaire (n = 7).
Expected Learning Outcomes
100% Responding Participants (n = 5) Selected
“Always” / “Strongly Agree” to Items:
• Describe the group experience as safe.
• I felt safe in group.
• Name one new healthy coping strategy for times of
stress and healing.
• I felt heard in group.
• Report increased feelings of support in healing
process.
• Report decreased feelings of isolation in experience
of sexual violence.
Future Directions
There is a strong student participant demand and
interest to continue the group in Fall 2015. Current
members discussed marketing and recruitment
strategies to expand membership to foster a
sustainable group base. Due to available resources,
group may move to a biweekly model.
Resources
• I felt believed in group.
• Participation in group helped me feel less alone in
my experience of sexual violence.
North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Orange
County Rape Crisis Center. (n.d.). The power of social
connection: Developing and coordinating sustainable support
group programs for survivors of sexual violence. Raleigh, NC:
Laurie Graham, Rob Powell, and Anna Karam.