SAMSN’s support groups for male victims of childhood sexual abuse are based on more than a decade of successful groups run by Psychologist Mark Griffiths through the Sexual Assault Service at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney. Hundreds of men found support through these meetings. Mark is now assisting SAMSN to run similar groups; each group will have two experienced facilitators to guide the two-hour meetings that run for eight consecutive weeks.

No matter what the details of your abuse, you can contact SAMSN about joining. Acceptance is an important feature of their joint recovery so the groups are open to men from different cultures and sexual orientation. There are clear guidelines to ensure confidentiality and a structure that ensures the whole focus of the groups is SAFETY.

Men who have completed one of the 8 week groups can continue to use the support of other Survivors. SAMSN men meet once a month to continue their shared journey at relaxed meetings with the same support, same safety and same mateship. “Don’t let those feelings of isolation back into your life,” says Mark Griffiths. “Keep in contact with SAMSN and in helping yourself, you will help SAMSN grow so it can help other men like yourself.”

If you decide you want to join a group, one of the psychologists who will be facilitating the group will get in touch, ask you some basic questions and outline how the group functions.

Participants who have a GP referral will be eligible for a Medicare rebate of $20.45 per session. SAMSN is happy to recommend GPs if you require one.

To register your interest please visit www.samsn.com.au/sydney-8-week-groups/ or call 0479 195 756. If they are unable to take your call please leave a message and know that they will get back to you within 24hrs – they do not leave messages on voice mail and they will keep your details private.

Comments from SAMSN 8 week group participants:

“The privilege of being heard and treated as a valuable being among others is an enormous gift that life doesn’t readily deliver. It makes it possible to be more who you really are.”
Bran, 41

“The group has made me a much more confident and stronger person.”
Trev, 46

“Hearing other people’s stories, the similarity of emotions and effects … It has made me realise that my feelings are normal after what I have been through. It has given me more confidence. I highly recommend it.”
Talal, 36

“My anger is now directed outwards at the man that abused me instead of at me. I can now see how the abuse has affected me, I have stopped abusing myself! I have the courage to tell people I am a survivor.”
Mark, 40

“This has helped me heal a very difficult, complex wound that I have carried since childhood. It has given me the opportunity to look at something I have kept pretty much to myself and has helped me to heal.”
Jonno, 40

“Just knowing that I am not alone, that other guys have gone through what I have and can understand how I feel is so powerful! I only met these guys eight weeks ago, but we have known each other all of our lives.”
Stu, 51

Source: SAMSN 8-week facilitated peer-support groups in Sydney (http://www.samsn.com.au/sydney-8-week-groups/)