NASV support group for abuse victims to discuss new topic starting in December

Although sharing emotional, traumatic experiences can be hard, victims of sexual abuse looking to continue recovery and move forward should consider joining a survivor support group at the Southeast Missouri Network Against Sexual Violence, the organization's executive director said Monday.

The group will begin meeting weekly in December to discuss a new topic, Tammy Gwaltney said. Participants will talk about dealing with the anger that often follows a sexual assault and topics relating to how victims can rebuild their lives.

"It's much like any experience that someone has had that is traumatic. Sometimes it's in the expression of that that can help you move on," Gwaltney said. "The thought of verbalizing is often more frightening than actually doing it."

Victims interested in attending group sessions should contact a counselor at NASV first, as not every victim of a sexual assault is ready for a group setting. For those who aren't, Gwaltney said, the person can be set up with a therapist for an individual session.

"Some people will come in as child victims, some will come in as adults who were sexually assaulted as adults and some will come in who've had both of those experiences. People will be in different places," Gwaltney said. "That's why it's important to call and that we're able to talk to them and assess where they are in their recovery."

Counselors, therapists and victims, whether at the support group or individually, are bound by confidentiality. The sexual assault survivor support group is free to all participants.

"We don't want anybody to not access the service because they don't have the money or finances to pay for it," Gwaltney said.

A sexual assault victim can often find strength knowing they're not alone in their experience, according to Gwaltney, but a victim who goes without a support system, or treatment of some kind, may develop lasting health issues.

A victim's anger may creep up at inappropriate times, they may have trouble maintaining healthy relationships or lose focus at a job. Gwaltney said victims who don't seek help tend to also operate at the extremes of behavior -- abusing alcohol or drugs, overeating or eating hardly at all, being always mad or always happy. "That usually means something really didn't get dealt with and it's OK to start to acknowledge that so you can get past that," Gwaltney said.

Starting Dec. 3, group meetings will be from 5 to 6 p.m. each Friday. Victims over the age of 18 are encouraged to contact NASV at 332-1900. Individual sessions can be arranged at the Cape Girardeau and Perryville office and beginning in December at the new Benton, Mo., location.

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