In February I started volunteering
as a facilitator for a psychoeducational support group for victims/survivors of
sexual violence and their loved ones. The
group is run through Ramsey County Sexual Offense Services, and is one useful
tool, among many, that can help victims find support and understanding of their
victimization. Once victims and
secondary victims have been interviewed by a staff member of Ramsey County SOS,
they can come whenever they want to the weekly meetings.
The people who come to group are
amazing. They have heart-breaking
stories to tell of rape, childhood sexual abuse, gang rape, incest, attacks by
strangers, and acquaintance/date/spousal sexual abuse. They may not have told anyone else in their
lives about what happened, but they come and share their stories, their
support, their emotions, and their insights to others. Even though the group is confidential, it
takes so much courage for them to come to group and to listen and share. The members who have told people in authority
about their victimization have many times come away feeling blamed, betrayed, and
not believed. I am so thankful Ramsey
County SOS has created a safe space where survivors can speak in a safe
environment.
Every time I go, I am astounded by
how brave the members are. At the same
time I am in awe of their courageousness, I am also overcome by how much pain
there is in the world. How can a parent
do something like that to their child? A
friend to their friend? A partner to
their partner? Even a stranger to another
stranger? I get angry hearing their
stories; I get depressed. Yet, I do walk
away from every session leaving those negative emotions in the room because I
am even more overcome by the beauty of the human spirit.