December 2008

The last two years have been particularly busy for the SAS. We received funding from the Scottish Government to create a website, we were also given funding to hold meetings and workshops for survivors and training for the professionals who support us.

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Our website www.sasurvivors.com was launched in December 2006 and in the two years it has been online there have been 26,528 access requests, the highest volume between 10 and 11pm on Friday nights. Our web host tells us that the most popular pages are 1.'Article on Flashbacks' 2.'Survivor's Writing and Artwork' 3.'Survivor's Noticeboard'

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During 2008 we held eighteen group meetings, where survivors experience a common bond and feel less alone. We offer acceptance, encouragement  and the opportunity to learn and share coping strategies together.

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In June, we were very appreciative of some 'Anger Awareness Workshops' designed and presented by one of Shetland's newly qualified counsellors. We learned how to recognise different emotions and how to manage them.

First Person Plural are a charitable organisation whose aim is to develop awareness of Dissociative Disorders. These disorders are often found in survivors of Sexual Abuse and the Scottish Government enabled us to invite them to Shetland to deliver training to a group of 25 professionals: Mental Health workers, Counsellors,  Alcohol & Drugs Services team members, folk from the voluntary sector and others.

The training was delivered in a highly professional manner and was received by all in a positive and pro-active way with an eagerness to learn about Dissociative Disorders.

The trainers also came to our Survivors group and shared with us. We had an informal question time and everyone said how valuable that meeting has been for them.

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Next year we are planning another training day, for professionals, with Siobhan Canavan who works as a Lecturer in Counselling at the University of Abertay. She currently works with a number of counselling agencies as a trainer/external facilitator on a range of topics including working with trauma and sexual abuse.

Many thanks to all of you who support the SAS

SCO 28504