As a lived experience survivor of child sexual abuse (CSA), I know the isolation that shame creates. CSA survivors are told not to speak of the trauma they have been subjected to, and when they do choose to disclose, they often still find themselves unable to speak openly about their experiences. 

This silence creates a unique echo chamber where their self-doubt, blame and lack of worthiness are heightened creating poor mental health outcomes and further isolation. 

When seeking support, CSA survivors are provided with clinical and therapeutic offerings, and though they help understand and process the trauma, they are often provided by professionals who do not have a lived experience understanding, creating a gap between the survivor and the practitioner. 

I believe this gap can be filled with the support of peers. Empathy and understanding occur when we spend time with others who have similar experiences to our own. We connect through a commonality but also bring our vast lived experiences accompanied by our lens of gender, ethnicity and stages of life. 

Peer support, defined as a form of social-emotional support, offered by an individual with a shared lived experience is an effective tool in positive mental health outcomes. Removing clinical elements and focusing on the parallel relationship dynamics of peers lowers the barrier to accessing these services when compared to traditional mental health services. 

At INSupport Community our peer support events and workshops are co-designed by CSA survivors for CSA survivors. In our online and in-person programs, we have begun to identify improved skills and mental health outcomes for members. Including increased decision-making and problem-solving abilities, reduction of stress and improved communication skills when seeking support. Most importantly members have noted significant reductions in feelings of isolation and disconnection, a key goal for all members.