Belonging
Starting October!
A Monthly Community for Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse
No one should have to survive childhood sexual abuse alone—and no one should have to heal from it alone.
Belonging is a trauma-informed monthly community created specifically for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
It is a place to connect, reflect, learn, and simply be with other people who understand something about this experience that can be difficult to explain to anyone else.
You never have to share your story to belong here.
You Are Not Alone
Childhood sexual abuse can be profoundly isolating.
For many survivors, the silence doesn't end when the abuse ends. You may have spent years carrying something that wasn't talked about, wasn't believed, wasn't acknowledged, or simply felt impossible to put into words.
Even in healing, it can sometimes feel like you're the only person carrying this particular kind of history.
Belonging was created to offer something different:
One space, once a month, where you can come and know you aren't alone.
What Happens at Belonging?
Each month includes a combination of:
A Monthly Topic
We'll explore topics relevant to life and healing after childhood sexual abuse. Some months may focus on relationships, boundaries, shame, the body, identity, triggers, self-compassion, grief, anger, joy, or other parts of the survivor experience.
Optional Discussion
There will be opportunities to talk and connect with others—but sharing is always your choice.
Journaling & Reflection
Prompts and activities offer another way to explore the monthly topic without needing to speak in front of the group.
Practical Resources
We'll share tools, information, and resources that may be useful in healing and everyday life.
Community
Sometimes the most important part isn't learning something new.
It's sitting in a room with other people and realizing:
They get it.
You Never Have to Tell Your Story
Belonging is not a space where survivors are expected to describe their abuse or disclose details of what happened to them.
You decide how you participate.
You can talk.
You can journal.
You can create.
You can listen.
You can simply be there.
There is always space to simply listen, reflect, and be with others who get it.
Your presence is enough.
Community Time
Belonging includes 30 minutes of optional community time before the group begins.
Come in, get settled, grab a snack and something to drink, journal, use the art supplies, or spend some time connecting with other members of the community.
You don't have to make conversation.
You don't have to arrive early.
It's simply there if you want it.
5:30–6:00 PM — Community Time
6:00–7:30 PM — Group
Who Is Belonging For?
Belonging is for adults who experienced sexual abuse during childhood.
You do not need to:
Be at a particular stage of healing
Be in individual therapy
Have a specific diagnosis
Know how to talk about what happened
Feel “ready” to share your story
You don't have to prove that your experience was “bad enough.”
If this community feels like it was created for you, you are welcome here.
Everyone Belongs
Cost should not be the reason someone has to heal alone.
Belonging uses a pay-what-you-can model.
Suggested contribution: $20
Give more. Give less. Attend at no cost.
No explanation is required.
Your ability to pay does not determine whether you belong here.
Group Details
Second Thursday of Every Month
5:30–6:00 PM
Optional community time
6:00–7:30 PM
Group
Location
Phoenix Rising Therapy Services
505 Thurston Street
Winston-Salem, NC 27103
Cost
Pay what you can
Suggested contribution: $20
Journals and art supplies are available.
A Note About Safety & Privacy
Because Belonging is a community for survivors, protecting each other's privacy matters.
What other participants share in the room should stay in the room. You are welcome to talk about your own experience outside of Belonging, but we ask that you not identify other participants or share their stories.
We'll talk more about community agreements, privacy, and creating a safer space together when you arrive.
You Don't Have to Heal Alone
Maybe you've never met another survivor.
Maybe you've known other survivors but never had a space where this part of your experience could exist openly.
Maybe you've spent years believing this is something you're supposed to carry privately.
You don't have to.
There is a place for you here.