Allies in Recovery: A Weekend Workshop for Sexual Abuse Survivors and their Partners

It is required that all participants be fully vaccinated.

The long-term and often painful process of recovery from sexual abuse has profound effects on relationships. Partners and survivors experience a parallel process of understanding the nature of abuse, its effects on the survivor and the couple, and the requirements of healing. Lack of information and understanding on both sides cause great strain on the couple.

This weekend workshop is designed for couples where one or both of the partners is a non-offending survivor of sexual child abuse, rape, physical violence, emotional abuse and/or neglect. It is open to heterosexual, gay, lesbian, and non-binary couples in committed relationships.

Our goal is to offer a safe, encouraging environment of healing for each partner and the couple.

The weekend will provide a variety of healing activities, including the sharing of stories, writing exercises, anger work and other emotional expression, small group discussion, relaxation, creativity, and yes, even fun.

There will be time for work within the couple as well as individual and small group gatherings just for survivors or just for partners.

Survivors will be able to do their own healing work while learning ways of improving communication with people who care about them. They will come to understand stressors experienced by their partners, and how stepping out of isolation will improve their recovery and their relationship.

Partners will be encouraged to explore and express the challenges they face being in a loving relationship with a survivor and how to practice self care while more effectively supporting and getting support from their partner. Like the survivor, they will begin to move beyond their own isolation toward more effective communication and a healthier, more satisfying relationship.