COMMON ISSUES OF SEXUAL ABUSE SURVIVORS

•   Flashbacks and Intrusive Memories
•   Nightmares and/or Sleep Disturbances
•   Dissociation and/or Spacing/Numbing Out
•   Anxiety, Hypervigilance and/or Panic Attacks
•   Low Self-Esteem, Guilt and/or Self Blame
•   Self Destructive Behaviors and/or Addictions
•   Depression
•   Difficulty with Relationships and/or Sexual Intimacy
•   Sexual Compulsions
•   Somatic/Physical Symptoms

TEN WEEK THERAPY GROUP FOR WOMEN SURVIVORS

Participation in a group and hearing about other survivors experiences is a normalizing experience and often frees the survivor from feeling crazy, dirty, alien or different. This group was designed to provide a safe and supportive environment in which women could tell their stories, end the shame and guilt associated with the abuse, break the isolation and receive support.

Benefits of group work with women who experienced childhood sexual abuse are:

• Identification with other members
  
• Acknowledgement of the abuse and the subsequent breaking of unhealthy secrets
  
• Provision of a support network
  
• Exploration of emotions and beliefs
  
• Provision of a safe context and catalyst for challenging beliefs and childhood messages
  
• A safe place for grieving