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Peer Support
Peer Support can be defined as the help and support fellow survivors of sexual abuse provide each other. It's different from the relationship you have with a clinician or qualified counsellor.
The Peer Support dynamic is very special and powerful in your journey to healing and recovery from sexual abuse.
Peer Support can be social, emotional or practical support. With Peer Support, we are all on the same playing field.
Your Men and Trauma Peer Support worker knows what you're going through, because he has been there too. He has also experienced the recovery that you long to own.
This is what makes Peer Support so crucial in the recovery process. There is no stigma, no isolation and no shame. Just shared experience and the solidarity that can only be shared between men who have experienced sexual abuse.
If you are a survivor of sexual abuse, Men and Trauma can offer you:
Outside Wellington you may want to join one of our zoom groups.
If you are a survivor of sexual abuse anywhere in New Zealand, you can share in our Confidential Listening Service via Skype, phone or email. We can also direct you toward support services in your area.
At Men and Trauma, we have a Peer Support Code of Ethics policy.
Do You Need Men and Trauma's Peer Support Service for Sexual Abuse ?
Do you think you may be a survivor of sexual abuse? At least 1 in 6 Kiwi males are. This includes both boys and men.
Men and Trauma's Peer Support Service is run for survivors - by survivors.
If you have experienced sexual abuse as a male, you may recognise some or all of the following traits in your own life:
- Shame and guilt that you think you allowed this to happen to yourself
- Feelings that your masculinity has been robbed or destroyed
- Lack of trust in anyone
- Angry, violent or abusive behaviour
- Self-harming thoughts and behaviours
- A crippling fear of exposing the abuse to anyone
- Self-medication with alcohol and/or drugs
- Depression, anxiety and panic attacks
- Problems with addiction to sex, gambling or pornography
- Inability to stop thinking of the abuse
- Believing that nobody understands you
- Self-imposed alienation from friends and family
- Repeated loss of jobs, friends and/or relationships
- Self-destructive behaviour
- Feelings of isolation and loneliness; not wanting to leave the house.
We believe that Peer Support works best in combination with counselling and other therapy.
Benefits of Peer Support include:
- Shared connection, empathy and respect. We know what you're going through. We've been there too.
- Increased self-confidence and self-esteem
- Reduced depression and anxiety
- Increased socialisation and reduced isolation
- Improved relationships
- Getting your anger under control
- Reduction in harmful use of alcohol and/or drugs
- Understanding the impacts of abuse
- Getting more from friendships and family relationships
- Increased ability to trust yourself and others
- Reduced self-destructive behaviour
- Decreased negative behaviours.
Find out more about how our Peer Support services can help you on your journey to recovery and freedom.
"If you're ready to move forward into a life free from the abuse you suffered, search out others who can truly support you on your journey.”- Anonymous
