Speak Out

Speak Out is a group for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse who want to speak out about the effects of childhood sexual abuse. Speak Out is about peer support and peer community development.

This group formed in late 2007, prior to Respond SA (a service for childhood sexual abuse survivors) was defunded. Clients of Respond SA were invited to meet together to identify ways they could support other survivors and inform and educate the community. The group decided that they wanted to raise awareness of child sexual abuse through public speaking and other events.

Eight survivors participated in a 10 week training course in Feb/March/April 2008, which included group work and public speaking. The group also applied for a community benefits grant and was successful. Since June 2008, the group have attended several public speaking engagements and have participated in two community events.

The loss of funding for Respond SA also meant that the men’s support group had to end. The men in this group joined Speak Out and learned skills for group facilitation. In June 2008, the men’s group restarted with two of the men as the facilitators.

For more information

Please contact Pauleen Fennell on (08) 8245 8100.