Is There No Such Thing as a Sexual Assault Survivors' Support Group???

[Arch]

I've done a few extensive Web searches for open-entry, open-exit groups, sort of like AA meetings. I'm not finding anything. All I find are therapy groups and counseling.

Other types of issues, from substance abuse to transsexuality, have such support groups. Is sexual assault somehow different?

I even wrote to the rape crisis center in town, and I never heard back. Of course, I indicated that I was looking for a men-only meeting and said that I didn't know whether such a thing exists here, but the least they can do is write back and say, "Sorry, Charlie." But I also haven't even seen any evidence of mixed groups or women-only groups in my city. It's a big city, too.

What am I missing here?

[stephaniec]

Did you try posting here

http://www.pandys.org/find.html

[Beth Andrea]

Pandy's is awesome! They helped me thru a very crucial and dangerous time when I was first coming to grips with the sex abuse I'd endured, and helped me in the very early stages of becoming myself (Beth).

They're not a FtF group, but maybe they could suggest one for you.

[Beth Andrea]

Maybe call local AA/NA office and ask for sexual assault victims support groups? (You may have to use the "R" word, if possible). Also see if your dr's office has info.

Some related-ish organizations:

http://www.siawso.org/ (survivors of incest anonymous)

www.asca12step.org (Adult survivors of child abuse)

sasaworldwide.org (Sexual assault survivors anonymous)

[Arch]

I'm a little freaked to use the telephone for something like this. I was hoping to get some info any other way, at least to start. I really don't want to talk about my own experiences, just listen to other people and look for common threads.

Pandy's was useful. It mentions "peer" support groups--that is the term I need to search for, either peer or peer-to-peer. I just found a group for men in a city two hours away. I like the look of it because it's men only and not a twelve-step, but it's way too far for me to go. Maybe my city has a similar group. I'll keep searching.

[Arch]

I also just don't know where I would belong. I wouldn't be comfortable in a group with women, yet I was living as a girl and a woman when I was assaulted. I would feel much more comfortable with other men, but my experience will have been quite different from theirs. I don't even know whether I could attend without feeling inauthentic. On the other hand, I always had these secret male identities...and I don't think I would have been assaulted as a child if not for my overwhelming desire for male-on-male bonding.

What a mess.

[stephaniec]

try talking to the people that run the groups

[Beth Andrea]

I'm a little freaked to use the telephone for something like this. I was hoping to get some info any other way, at least to start. I really don't want to talk about my own experiences, just listen to other people and look for common threads.

Pandy's was useful. It mentions "peer" support groups--that is the term I need to search for, either peer or peer-to-peer. I just found a group for men in a city two hours away. I like the look of it because it's men only and not a twelve-step, but it's way too far for me to go. Maybe my city has a similar group. I'll keep searching.

I'd think sending them an email asking for suggestions might be helpful.