Silence helps no one.
Free peer support services
for adult survivors of
sexual harm.
Giving you the chance to talk about what you’ve survived in a private, safe and supportive environment.
You’ll find no judgement here.
No matter what you’ve been through, what you say or how you say it, your peers have likely been through it, seen it, or heard it.
Peer support is not about what is bad, wrong or doesn’t work. It’s about what is possible and what can be achieved together.
We won’t try to fix you - we’ll help you build on the strengths you already have, to create a new future.
If you, or anyone you know, needs support
If you do meet someone whose misguided world views aren’t supportive, here are 7 quick tips you might find helpful.
1: IF YOU ARE TRIGGERED, USE GROUNDING TECHNIQUES.
2: RECOGNIZE THAT ANOTHER'S HURTFUL REACTION IS ABOUT THEM, NOT YOU.
3: SEEK EMOTIONAL SUPPORT FROM THE SOMEONE YOU TRUST.
4: JOURNAL ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE.
5: FIND OTHER PERSPECTIVES.
6: IF POSSIBLE, DISTANCE YOURSELF FROM TOXIC ENVIRONMENTS.
7: REMEMBER, YOU ARE IN CONTROL OF YOUR OWN STORY.
The Road Forward provides free peer support services to adult survivors of sexual Abuse/harm in Wellington, Hutt Valley, Porirua, Kapiti and the Wairarapa.
Stop the Stigma
“Stigma” is when a person or group of people assign a negative value onto another person or group, based on a set of beliefs, perspectives, or biases.
Stigma surrounding sexual abuse/harm still exists. It can and does perpetuate misinformation and outdated stereotypes.
No matter where you’re at on your wellbeing journey, the ignorance of others can still be painful. You may encounter this type of misinformation not only from others, but in social media, news coverage, and media portrayals. These hurtful and triggering messages stem from the stigma that has surrounded sexual abuse/harm for years, leading to outdated and misguided perceptions, or cultural myths. These cultural myths “she was asking for it“ or “boys can’t be sexually abused” and their problematic effects were addressed by sociologists back in the 1970s.
As disheartening as these misguided views can be, they can’t silence your voice. The stigma surrounding sexual abuse/harm is crumbling and will continue to crumble, one conversation at a time.
Thanks to our funders for their support
