Finding Strength in Connecting with Other Abuse Survivors 

Healing after sexual abuse, assault, or trafficking is not a journey you should have to take alone. It may be true that each person’s path forward is deeply personal, but there is a power in connecting with others who have walked a similar road. That’s why finding and building relationships with fellow survivors can help you. Talking to other people can bring about understanding, validation, and a safe space, and it can all happen at your own pace, in your own way. 

If you’re considering reaching out to other survivors, find out how you can get started. 

Why Connecting with Other Survivors Matters

Healing from trauma can be complex. It’s not just about surviving and overcoming the pain. Many people need to reclaim trust, identity, belonging, and more. One of the most impactful ways to do that can be through community. 

When you connect with others who have experienced similar forms of trauma, you often find many things: 

• Validation: knowing you’re not alone in your feelings and experiences can be incredibly affirming. 
• Understanding: survivors can relate to each other in ways that others—even those with good intentions—sometimes cannot. 
• Mutual support: others can lend a listening ear or share coping strategies. Survivors can also support each other in meaningful, authentic ways. 
• Empowerment: being part of a healing community can help restore your sense of agency and control. 
• Hope: seeing others who are further along in their healing journeys can be encouraging and inspiring. 

How to Find and Reach Out to Other Survivors

Finding the right survivor support network may take time, but there are many ways to seek those who have been through similar situations: 

Join a Support Group

Look for survivor-focused support groups in your area. These are often hosted by: 

• Sexual assault crisis centers 
• Domestic violence shelters 
• Community health centers 
• Mental health clinics 
• Non-profit advocacy organizations 
• LGBTQ+ community centers 

Many groups meet in person, while others offer virtual or phone-based meetings, which can be helpful if you need more privacy or flexibility. 

You can find listings through: 

• RAINN.org (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) 
• National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC.org) 
• The National Domestic Violence Hotline 
• Local 211 helplines or your community’s resource directories 

Seek Online Survivor Communities 

If in-person groups aren’t accessible or comfortable for you, consider joining an online community. These may take the form of forums, moderated chat rooms, or private social media groups. 

Look for platforms that: 

• Are moderated by trauma-informed professionals or peer advocates 
• Have clear privacy rules and confidentiality standards 
• Are inclusive and supportive of your identity and experience 

Some survivors find comfort in anonymous communities, where they can share and read stories without revealing personal details. 

Connect Through Counseling or Advocacy Centers

Your therapist, case manager, or advocate may know of smaller, more intimate groups that aren’t publicly advertised. These may include informal circles, book clubs, art therapy groups, or trauma-informed yoga classes, which are created specifically for survivors looking to rebuild trust in a safe, shared space. 

Don’t be afraid to ask, “Do you know of any places where I can meet other survivors?” You might be surprised at how many communities exist. 

What Can You Do Together?

Once you’ve found or created a group of supportive survivors, there are many ways to bond, share healing, and uplift each other. You can: 

• Attend peer support groups regularly to discuss healing challenges and wins 
• Start a journal circle where you write or reflect on prompts together 
• Try group therapy or trauma-informed workshops 
• Engage in art therapy, music, or creative writing 
• Attend survivor-led healing retreats or virtual events 
• Go on peaceful nature walks or try mindfulness activities together 
• Celebrate healing milestones with people who truly understand what they mean 
• Create mutual aid systems, like checking in during tough times or helping with appointments 

These shared experiences can make healing feel less isolating and more empowering. Being together, even in silence, can be enough. 

Make It Comfortable for Everyone

Healing looks different for every person, and survivor spaces should be gentle, welcoming, and flexible. Whether you’re joining a group or creating one yourself, here are ways to ensure it feels comfortable for everyone: 

Set Clear Boundaries and Expectations

Talk openly about things like: 

• Whether people want to share personal stories or simply listen 
• Which topics feel helpful, and which may be triggering 
• The importance of confidentiality and respect 
• Whether to allow “cameras on” in virtual meetings, or how to indicate when someone needs space 

Honor Individual Needs

Some people may need to sit in silence. Others might cry, laugh, or talk more than you. It’s important to let everyone show up exactly as they are, without pressure to explain or perform. 

Let your space be one where feelings are not fixed, and where it’s okay to feel messy, unsure, or quiet. 

Keep the Focus on Support, Not Comparison

Everyone heals at their own pace. Avoid comparing progress or suggesting that there’s a “right way” to recover. Instead, listen, encourage, and simply be present. 

Finding or Creating the Right Space

Not every group will be the right fit, and that’s okay. If a space makes you feel judged, unseen, or unsafe, it’s perfectly valid to try something else. You deserve to feel respected, heard, and supported. 

Here are a few questions to consider when finding or creating your healing space: 

• Do I feel emotionally safe in this group? 
• Are my boundaries respected? 
• Can I be myself, even on tough days? 
• Are there people here who understand, without needing every detail? 
• Does this group encourage hope, growth, and self-compassion? 

If you’re struggling to find a group that feels right, consider creating your own small circle with a few trusted peers, or ask a therapist or advocate to help you get started. 

Remember You Are Not Alone

There is no shame in seeking support, in leaning on others, or in needing to be seen. That is not weakness; it’s healing. 

If you’re looking for a place to start, our team at Stronger Than can help. Our organization connects survivors with local and virtual support networks, trauma-informed resources, and sexual assault lawyers who are dedicated to your healing and your rights. 

Whether you’re ready to join a group or simply thinking about the possibility, remember: you deserve connection, you deserve comfort, and you deserve a community that sees your strength, even on your hardest days.