Ask an Advisor Answers

Question: I am looking into starting a support group for women who have been in/are in abusive/controlling relationships. I was wondering if you have suggestions on where to start? Also, how do I go about conducting meeting for this group without triggering anyone?

Answer:

Dear Ashley
thank you very much for your question, and for your concern and your sensitivity towards women suffering for such problems, and who would participate in the group.
I think that in Community Tool Box you can find useful indications in this section:
» Learn a Skill » Toolkits » 10. Advocating for Change » Examples » Example 8: Together for Girls: Working to end sexual violence /en/advocating-change/examples/example8
Moreover, in community psychology journals, we can find many projects, research, and interventions about the serious problem regarding gender violence. Just to give you some examples, I may cite:
Estefan, L. F., Armstead, T. L., Rivera, M. S., Kearns, M. C., Carter, D., Crowell, J., ... & Daniels, B. (2019). Enhancing the national dialogue on the prevention of intimate partner violence. American journal of community psychology, 63(1-2), 153-167.
Sharkey, J. D., Reed, L. A., & Felix, E. D. (2017). Dating and sexual violence research in the schools: Balancing protection of confidentiality with supporting the welfare of survivors. American journal of community psychology, 60(3-4), 361-367.
And, about European experiences (in Europe there are important laws for contrasting such issue): Stoyanova, V. (2019). On the Bride’s side? Victims of domestic violence and their residence rights under EU and Council of Europe Law. Netherlands Quarterly of Human Rights, 37(4), 311-335.
Many wishes for your important project!

Question Date: Fri, 02/21/2020