Sexual Abuse Survivors Going to S.A.S. group meetings.

	Going to S.A.S. group meetings.

I attend the support group once a month, sometimes we have one in between which is an informal meeting. The group meeting always begins at the same time and this is really helpful because it means that if someone is bravely sharing some of their story they don't get interrupted by late comers. We all have coffee and then there is time to look at or talk about the group guidelines.

These are to keep us all safe, we keep confidentiality, we don't talk over each other, we all respect one another. We use something called a 'Talking Stick'. At first this felt a little strange but I very soon realised that it helps everyone to get a chance to speak if they want to and also for those who don't to just pass it along but still feel included in the meeting.

We have coffee at the beginning of the meeting and time to get used to being in the room and chat if we want. Then we start the meeting and the talking stick begins with the facillitator and is passed around from one member to another. Sometimes we just share ordinary things, sometimes serious issues that are troubling, sometimes we all find something funny and just laugh together. We take a coffee break half way through the meeting which is good for taking a breath and relaxing.

It is a very safe place to share anything, words thoughts and feelings.

The informal meetings in between are not time regulated. Members can come and go as they need and we just chat about anything but not the deeper issues of surviving. These times are really good because the companionship is there in a way that is an unspoken way.

I am so glad that we have the group here in Shetland.

Together, we make the difference