Empowering Underserved Adult Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse

Zero Abuse Project proposes to implement the national-scope Empowering Underserved Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse Project to expand its existing OVC-funded SurvivorSpace website (www.survivorspace.org). The proposed Project will enhance the availability of accessible, culturally-relevant information, resources, and support for underserved adult survivors of child sexual abuse, with emphasis on male survivors, American Indian/Alaska Native survivors, and survivors who experienced abuse in faith communities. The goals of the Project are to a) offer survivor-developed information and resources to underserved survivors of child sexual abuse, b) provide clinically-led SurvivorCircles and Online Support Groups, and c) offer survivor networking and connection opportunities. 

Zero Abuse will lead the Project in collaboration with Men & Healing, Minnesota Indian Women’s Sexual Assault Coalition, National Native Children’s Trauma Center, and Sacred Spaces. Zero Abuse and Project partners will acccomplish the following objectives: 1) Expand the SurvivorSpace website and mobile application to include 30 new pieces of multimedia content developed by and for underserved adult survivors of child sexual abuse; 2) Coordinate 48 online SurvivorCircles featuring the experiences, perspectives, and needs of underserved adult survivors of child sexual abuse; 3) Offer five clinician-facilitated Online Support Groups per week for male survivors of child sexual abuse; 4) Facilitate 10 interactive online networking opportunities for the survivors and other subject matter experts involved with the development of  content for SurvivorSpace; and 5) Conduct outreach to broadly market SurvivorSpace resources, SurvivorCircles, and Online Support Groups, especially to underserved populations.

The Project will increase access to traditional and non-traditional victim services by underserved survivors; improve the way information is delivered to crime victims; expand the understanding of survivors, their loved ones, and allied organizations of the unique perspectives and experiences of additional populations of survivors; and meaningfully engage underserved communities by building upon what makes SurvivorSpace a uniquely accessible and effective resource: that it is led by survivors, for survivors.