A particularly successful method for working with survivors of sexual assault and trauma is to bring survivors together in groups. Groups are an effective tool in giving hope and providing support, validation, connection, healing, and empathy. At the core of all sexual assault trauma is disempowerment and disconnection. To assist in recovery, empowerment and connection, the Washington Center of Sexual Assault Programs (WCSAP) developed this basic guide, written with beginner facilitators in mind. It offers practical guidance and recommendations for facilitation and design of psychoeducational support groups. The sources include existing research and literature about groups, the Office of Crime Victims Advocacy (OCVA) support group standards, and the experiences of those who participated in writing this manual.
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