Group support

Our support groups are an opportunity to both give and receive support. Women can share their feelings with others and suggest ideas based on what has worked for them. There is also the space to talk about what has happened to you, if you feel able to and want to.

How can a group help?

• Sharing experiences with other survivors in a non-judgmental and supportive environment can be helpful. Women often tell us that they are able to share things with the group they don’t feel able to talk about with other people.
• Sexual abuse can be very isolating and being in a group can lessen this feeling of isolation.
• Women can explore their feelings together in a safe and supportive space.

What will happen at the group?
Group members decide how they use the time and what they want to talk about. Each session varies, but usually includes some discussion and some simple ‘safe’ exercises, such as drawing or writing. There will be no pressure to take part in anything you do not feel comfortable or safe with.

Who will be at the group?
Our groups are for female survivors of any kind of sexual violence. This includes rape, sexual assault and childhood sexual abuse. Groups are made up of between 5 and 10 women and are facilitated by two or three female support workers. This will depend on the size of the group. The role of the facilitators is to ensure that any woman who feels able to speak is provided with an opportunity to do so, and also to ensure that all women feel safe.

Do I have to talk about what happened to me?
No. There is no pressure to say anything you don’t want to. You can use the group to say as much or as little as you want.

How do I know the group will be confidential?
At the first session, all members of the group will draw up ‘ground rules’, which will include confidentiality. This is also an opportunity to raise any worries you have. Facilitators will support you to ask for the ground rules that you need in order to feel safe. The ground rules can be added to at any point.

What if I need to take a break?
We make a room available for group members who want to take some time out. This can be alone or with a facilitator, depending on what you want.

How long will the group last?
Groups run for a total of 11 weeks. Each session lasts about 2 hours, and we try to run groups during both the afternoon and the evening.

How do I join a group?
If you would like to join one of our groups or you would like further information, you can contact us on 0131 556 9437. When the next group is due to start you will be invited in for an individual face to face session. This will be with one of the workers who will be facilitating the group, in the same room as the group will take place. This is an opportunity for you to ask questions about the group and talk through anything that may be worrying you. If it would be helpful for you, you are welcome to bring a female friend, family member or support worker to this session.

I still feel very nervous about attending the first session
Women often tell us that coming to that first group meeting can be one of the hardest things they do. Our workers want to support you in any way we can. If you still feel worried or are unsure if the group is right for you, we can also offer you the opportunity to talk through your concerns on our helpline and look at some of the exercises that will be offered to the group. If there is anything else that you feel you need in order to attend the group, we will do our best to support you.

What women have told us about group support:

“I benefited immensely from the group - I could almost say it was a life-changing nine weeks. I only wish I had been aware of its availability and the amazing impact it would have on me years ago.”

“It helped me to open up, to face my fears and to realise I was stronger than I thought.”

“Knowing that I had that safe space each week really helped me to manage any difficult feelings I was experiencing in a safe and welcoming environment.”