Nova Scotia charity developing support groups for childhood abuse survivors
Posted Jan 29, 2023 05:47:36 PM.
CONTENT WARNING: this story references sexual abuse and childhood trauma.
The Nova Scotia charity SOAR (Survivors of Abuse Recovering) is developing peer support groups for victims of childhood sexual abuse.
SOAR has been active since 1993, running one-on-one peer support and occasional support groups for survivors. But with their new program in development they will be to offering more group sessions.
“Most of our referrals are self referrals, and we offer them one-on-one peer support. But lots of people prefer group settings and group support and we want to be able to offer that more,” said SOAR co-founder Karn Martin.
Peer supporters at SOAR are survivors of childhood sexual abuse themselves. Currently there are six members in training to lead support groups.
“These are people who have to suffer through trauma, who want to be caregivers for survivors. They will soon work with people in groups caring for survivors,” said Martin.
In May of 2023, SOAR also plans on beginning group sessions for those who care for survivors. “we're finding ways to support people who support others,” said Martin.
Martin wants SOAR to be available to anymore who has experienced childhood sexual abuse, “We don't report or talk about it as much as we should, as much as we need to…it's a long road and it goes on for a long time.”
SOAR will be ten years old in October of 2023.
