Why Do Parents Need Peer-Support?
When a child experiences sexual violence, the emotional and practical challenges for parents can be overwhelming, especially when dealing with a topic that is surrounded by stigma and shame.
They may feel:
-
Alone in their experience, unable to connect with others who understand.
-
Helpless in supporting their child and navigating the complex aftermath.
-
Stuck with feelings of guilt, anger, or confusion.
Peer-support groups offer parents a lifeline by providing:
-
Opportunity to share with others who understand their struggles.
-
Practical advice to guide them through challenging decisions.
-
Empowerment to rebuild their strength and confidence as a parent.
Whether you're providing direct services to parents or seeking ways to refer them to additional resources, You Are Enough™ online peer-support groups can be an essential tool in your work.
What Are You Are Enough™ Peer-Support Groups?
You Are Enough™ groups are online peer-support groups tailored to the specific needs of parents whose children have experienced sexual violence.
These groups are:
-
Free of Cost: The groups are free to join for all participants.
-
Safe and Confidential: Parents can openly share their thoughts and feelings without fear of judgement.
-
Expertly Facilitated: Led by trained facilitators to ensure a supportive and constructive environment.
-
Customized to Unique Circumstances: Groups address diverse situations, including digital offenses, sibling-related harm, and offenses by a close or unknown perpetrator.
-
Held Online: The groups take place in an online format, providing flexibility and accessibility for parents wherever they are. This allows parents to join without the need to travel or disrupt their daily routines.
By referring parents to these groups, you provide them with access to a community of understanding and healing.
"The groups are led with great expertise. It feels safe and you can be yourself. With whatever resources you have each day. There's space for processing everything. You also receive valuable practical guidance in this difficult process"
Findings from a Pilot of You Are Enough™ Parental Peer Support Groups in Finland and Ireland.
“Being able to share with a group makes me realise that I am not alone and that I am doing as well as anyone else who is dealing with the aftermath of child sexual abuse.”
-Parent attending a You Are Enough™ group.
Our evaluation highlights the severe negative impact that online child sexual exploitation and abuse (OCSEA) has on victims and their families, the child victims' symptoms closely mirroring the parents' own symptoms of trauma.
Findings from the pilot show that parents and caregivers who attended the You Are Enough™ peer support group experienced improved wellbeing. In particular, parents valued the sense of not feeling alone, the valuable information gained about the criminal justice and healing processes, and their understanding of their child’s trauma symptoms, which helped them support their child's recovery.
How You Can Help
Share Information with Parents
Parents may not know these groups exist or may hesitate to seek help. You can:
-
Provide brochures or links to You Are Enough™ resources.
-
Reassure parents about the value of peer support and the safe, non-judgemental nature of the groups.
Partner with Us to Spread Awareness
Join us in ensuring no parent faces this journey alone. You can help raise awareness by:
-
Sharing information about You Are Enough™ within your organisation.
-
Collaborating with us on events or campaigns to reach more families.
Become a Trained Facilitator
For professionals seeking a more active role, You Are Enough™ offers training to become a certified facilitator. Facilitators lead groups, providing parents with emotional support and practical guidance
Together, we can ensure that every parent has access to the support they need to navigate this challenging journey.
Listen to our podcast with Jeremy Indika
Nina Vaaranen-Valkonen and Katariina Leivo, the You Are Enough™ facilitators in Finland, joined Jeremy Indika on his podcast to discuss the vital role of peer support groups for parents and caregivers whose children have fallen victims to sexual violence.
The conversation covered essential topics such as how to support your child and the overwhelming emotions parents face when reading police reports, witnessing their child's trauma, and struggling with feelings of helplessness.
Recent publications about the "You Are Enough" Peer Support Group
Recent news about the "You Are Enough" Peer Support Group
