Empowerment Through Group Support: Adult Women Who Are Survivors of Incest

• NCJ Number: 123892
• Journal: Journal of Family Violence Volume: 5 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1990) Pages: 35-42
• Author(s): M C Kreidler; D B England
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 8 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program Description (Model)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

The three-phase group process at the University of Akron College of Nursing Center for Nursing Practice, Education, and Research was adapted from the Brown-Fagen treatment model and consists of 56 sessions in which the women deal with issues of healing, letting go of destructive thoughts, and control of their actions and reactions.

Abstract

This article maintains that professionals need to receive specialized training in the detection and treatment of sexual abuse, particularly incest. Group counseling is an effective treatment approach for incest victims as they use the group experience to examine feelings, learn to trust, and establish healthy relationships; deal with the incest and their own destructive behaviors; and build self-esteem. Empowerment of self is the main issue of each phase. Therapists are female nurse educators, with female graduate students in nursing or psychology acting as co-facilitators; the inclusion of students was based on a commitment to educate health professionals about ways to intervene with women experiencing long-term effects of incest. The group participants either called the Center or were referred by therapists, campus counselors, or community agencies. The initial interview session lessens the participant's anxiety about pragmatic issues and allows her to meet the facilitator and begin the process of disclosure. During the first phase, sessions begin with a short relaxation exercise after which participants share their stories and discuss the commonalities of their experiences. A wind-down period is essential for group binding and tension release. The second phase allows participants to confront submerged feelings and emotions and offer support to each other more openly. The final phase stresses skill training as new behaviors are learned and used. At the end of the treatment, the women are empowered to deal with their lives and give up their victim's role. 1 table, 23 references. (Publisher abstract modified)