Survivors of Abuse Recovering Society

Organization Type: Social & Community Services
Address: P.O. Box 105, Kentville, Nova Scotia B4N 3B9
Contact: SOAR Coordinator
Website: https://survivorsofabuserecovering.ca

We are a community-based peer support service for adult survivors of childhood (0-18 yrs) sexual abuse in Nova Scotia.

Currently, all peer support, one-on-one or group, is offered online. The training is also online.

All Peer Supporters must themselves be survivors of childhood sexual abuse and are assessed for suitability before acceptance into our program.

We offer support to, and need peer supporters of, all genders. We encourage male survivors to apply.

Peer supporters are not professionals or therapists and cannot give any medical or psychological advice.

A peer supporter is expected to offer confidentiality, a good listening ear and a non-judgmental approach. Through training and personal experiences, a peer supporter understands difficulties and can provide empathy, guidance, support and access to resources such as reading materials and techniques to help one through a stressful time.

S.O.A.R. regularly offers free peer supporter training for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse who have progressed sufficiently in their recovery that they feel ready to assist others in healing.

A peer supporter is taught to offer a survivor:
– Respectful listening
– Acceptance
– Confidentiality
– Understanding
– Hope
– Reassurance that one is not alone
– Strategies and information to help one feel more in control

Volunteer Peer Supporters are asked to commit to at least two years following the end of training. Trainees must attend all 16 sessions to receive a certificate of completion.