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.