A support group offers people an opportunity to discuss their experiences with others who have shared similar experiences, and to learn from each other.
Some groups are facilitated by professionals who work at a community organisation (for example, a Community Health Centre, or a Centre Against Sexual Assault). The role of these facilitators is to organise and set up the group, and to make sure everyone gets an opportunity to contribute. Other groups are self-help, which means that the group is run by participants who have personal experiences of abuse themselves.
How often do they meet?
Some groups are held over a specific time-frame. They might meet once a week for a period of 10 weeks, for example. Others are on-going, and may meet regularly for years.
Most support groups for people who have experienced violence are run through community health centres or local neighbourhood houses.
Support groups in Victoria, Australia
You can download our Support Groups booklet under the Our Publications section of this website. It lists available family violence and sexual abuse support groups in Victoria, by region.
Online support: Our Place Online
An online forum for men and women who have suffered abuse in all its forms: psychological, verbal, physical, sexual, and spiritual abuse. The forum is run by a community of volunteers all over the world. Our Place Online aims to help educate and support those wishing to heal from the damage done.