The Blue Mountains Women’s Health and Resource Centre is offering an innovative nine-week group course to assist adult women who have experienced sexual abuse during their childhood.
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The Building Safety and Strength program will run on consecutive Tuesdays from May 1 between 10am and midday at the Centre at 124 Lurline Street, Katoomba and is the first course of its kind to become available in the Blue Mountains.
It was developed in a highly successful pilot program in northern Sydney in 2010 and released for delivery across NSW last November.
The group is for women who have experienced child sexual abuse and want an opportunity to connect with other women survivors and a chance to learn and practice ways of managing different impacts of past abuse.
These effects are different for each woman but can include problems with feeling overwhelmed by stress or anxiety, lacking enjoyment and fulfilment, feeling isolated, physical illnesses or having low self-esteem.
“Many women can have a yearning to gain connection with others who have an understanding of what it is like to be a survivor of childhood abuse,” Erica Want said, who will facilitate the group with fellow counsellor Jenny Gill.
“We won’t be focusing on the abuse but on the symptoms of the abuse in order to help women feel safer and stronger.
“It will be set in a warm and safe space for women to come to.”
There is scope for up to 12 participants, limited child care will be available and a modest fee applies to cover the duration of the course.
Due to limited spaces, women who are interested are invited now to contact the centre about the program on 4782-5133.
