ONLINE SUPPORT SPACE
for women, femmes and nonbinary survivors of rape or sexual assault who are 18 and older
Our online survivor-led support space launched in March 2023.
This space came about because so many of us in our community wanted something different; support that is led by and shaped by us, instead of set out and controlled by others. Many of us have experienced finding support inaccessible, unaffordable, limited, conditional, exclusive and not meeting our needs and have desperately wanted something else. Survivors in our community have asked for a long time for this space to exist, now we are able to build it.
Healing is not linear, it is messy, complex and unpredictable and we need spaces that cater for that.
This is a survivor-led group that was originally a closed group that met every 2 weeks, but now we have longer sessions that are open spaces–usually every month. To be notified of the next session:
This space is for women, femmes and nonbinary survivors of rape or sexual assault who are 18 and older. We are not gatekeepers of womanhood or femme identities. If you identify as a part of any of these identities / genders / presentations it is for you. It is for those who have experienced sexual assault, rape and trauma, no matter how major or minor you feel this to be.
A facilitator (who is also a survivor and trauma expert) is present for every session. She is there to open and close the space, manage time and hold the group, but her level of influence on the space is collectively determined as the group develops.
What the space intends to be
This is a mutual support space where we can discuss, share and unpack our thoughts, and feelings as people who have experienced sexual violence and harm. This can look like however we collectively decide within the space. It can be a space to laugh, have rage, cry, find connection, be silent, take it in turns to talk, find ideas, get validation or simply release.
The space is built by those who are in it and to support all our needs. SLEEC does not want to determine what this will look like, we offer support, guidance and ideas for structure or conversations but we want you to collectively shape it.
Whilst this space is primarily to unpack anything that is going on for us individually and collectively, it is also there to form real solidarity and deeper understanding of each other in our own community.
Our mission is to unlearn what we have been conditioned to believe is the ‘right’ way to heal and be seen and treated as individuals, rather than only our experiences.
We believe support should allow people to be unapologetically themselves and to meet each other where we are at.
What the space is not
This is not a therapy group nor should you use it as a substitute for professional counselling. If you want counselling or crisis support this space is not that.