Help for childhood abuse victims

By Elizabeth Lillis
WOMEN who have survived childhood sexual assault will have access to a local support group starting later this month.
The program run in Berwick by counsellors from Cardinia Casey Health Service has been held each year since 1992.
According to Cardinia Casey Health Service counsellor Jane Coward the program has assisted more than 100 women since its started.
It aims to help women develop healthy ways to cope with the longterm effects of abuse in childhood.
“One in three women experience some form of abuse in their lifetime and this program is for those who have been assaulted as a child,” Ms Coward said.
“The program is designed to help the women increase their selfesteem, deal with issues around the abuse when it has occurred within the family as well as managing the grief and anger issues associated with the abuse,” she said.
“Many women who were abused as children feel that they have lost their childhood and experience anger and grief associated with this loss,” Ms Coward said.
This could then impact on their health and selfesteem.
She said that over the years the program has been running, women attending have formed strong friendships and have received guidance that has assisted them to take on new experiences in life.
“For many of the women it has been a lifechanging experience, they have increased in confidence and have gone on to study at TAFE or university.
“Some women have formed friendships from the group which have lasted for many years.”
Ms Coward said two counsellors who are experienced social workers and family therapist run the group along with a peer worker.
“The peer worker is someone who has been through the program and has had training to assist with the sessions,” she said.
The session is held with a small group of eight to 10 women and there is a weekly charge of $5 per person. Sessions are held during school hours once a week for two hours.
The program runs for 18 sessions.
“We run it during school hours so those with school age children can attend,” Ms Coward said.
The sessions are held at the CardiniaCasey Health Service at Parkhill Drive in Berwick.
Women interested in attending should phone Jane Coward on 9212 5700 or Wendy White on 5968 7000.