Hi Denise,
Welcome to the Community Tool Box (CTB) and Ask an Advisor, and on behalf of the CTB, thank you for taking on this challenge in the times in which we find ourselves; your efforts are very much appreciated. You pose an interesting question about starting a support group for women and children who are the victims of abuse or who continue to be traumatized by an abusive relationship. Kudos for wanting to help this most vulnerable of populations. To be clear, the CTB doesn’t offer up any specific resources related to support groups for the victims of abuse that are Bible or scripture-based, but I can and will provide you with CTB resources that can be adapted to your needs. I hope that will work for you.
The first resource I want to offer you is from Chapter 21, Section 2 – Creating and Facilitating Peer Support Groups: https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/implement/enhancing-support/peer.... This section is important because you’ll learn how to bring together and facilitate support and encouragement among a group of people who share common problems and experiences. Although not based on the Bible or scripture, I think the principles certainly apply in terms of group process. Make sure you read the entirety of the section, the tools, and the examples that show you how others have done what you want to do.
The second resource is from a section in the CTB we call Community Stories. This community story is called Domestic Violence Shelter and Outreach in Victorville: https://ctb.ku.edu/en/a-better-way. I know this is not exactly what you’re looking for, but I find it illustrative and by reading the Overview, the Summary of Taking Action, and the Impact/Results you might find a key take-away or two that you can apply to your own situation.
Resource three is from Toolkit 5, Developing Strategic and Action Plans, Example 4: https://ctb.ku.edu/en/developing-strategic-and-action-plans/examples/exa.... Not specific to beginning a support group, this example should give you ideas about making sure your support group as an intervention is based on best-practices in domestic abuse and trauma support groups. Again, illustrative and key reading.
The only other CTB resource I can think of that you could use to develop your support group is Toolkit 7 – Developing an Intervention: https://ctb.ku.edu/en/developing-intervention. If you think of your support group is an intervention then this toolkit will really help you develop its core components and adapt them to fit your specific context.
I did find one last “bonus” resource that might be of interest to you if you’re interested in community building around domestic violence, abuse, and trauma more as prevention than as a support group intervention, Chapter 28 – Spirituality and Community Building: https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/culture/spirituality-and-community-building. Developing a support group is certainly admirable, but if you really want to attack the problem head on then looking at this issue with a wider lens may be the way to go; if you can prevent domestic violence and abuse on a larger scale then support groups are far less necessary. Just something to think about.
So, in the final analysis, I think a combination of the first resource and the last, excluding the bonus resource should give you enough information to get started. The examples are good for helping you see what is possible and to see what others have tried, analogous to what you want to do.
With that Denise, I think you've got plenty of resources to start you on your way. If, for any reason you don't find what you're looking for in these myriad resources do drop by the CTB again and I'll work with you until you have exactly what you need to the best of my abilities and within the resources the CTB offers. To reiterate, I think Chapters 21, Section 2 and Toolkit 7 will get you where you want to go, if not all the way then at least a good deal of the way. On behalf of the CTB thank you so much for coming to us for advice and more important, for the work you want to do in your community; the very best of success to you in all of your endeavors.
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