About SSAA
Welcome to
SSAA
Survivors of
Sexual Assault Anonymous
SSAA is an inclusive, self-help group that engages in 12-Step recovery and supportive fellowship which aids survivors in healing from sexual trauma (ages 18+).
The lotus flower is often used to represent survivors of sexual trauma because it grows out of thick, dense, and dark mud. Like the survivor, it will persist in growing toward the sunlight until a blossom appears.
SSAA Mission Statement
Our mission is to create emotionally safe environments around the world, where survivors can assemble to heal from the effects from having been a victim of sexual assault, abuse, and exploitation. Our group operates under the fundamental principles of trauma-informed peer support and those of our 12-step recovery program. We extend a warm welcome to everyone over the age of 18, regardless of skin color, age, sexual orientation, nationality, religion, or gender identity. It is important to SSAA to create a space where every individual feels seen, heard, and valued in our community built by survivors.
About SSAA
Formerly known as:Sexual Assault Survivors Anonymous (SASA) est. ©2010
Survivors of Sexual Assault Anonymous meetings provide a safe space to share and be heard by fellow survivors in a supportive and structured environment. Our fellowship is based on SSAA's 12 Steps, 12 Traditions, and 12 Promises which guide us in navigating recovery and healing from sexual trauma.
The SSAA program has been adapted from the foundational principles merged communities of Sexual Abuse Anonymous (©1978), Survivors of Incest Anonymous (©1982), Alcoholics Anonymous (©1935) and the and SASA (©2010).
SSAA provides various meeting formats and each of our meetings run autonomously using a core script (autonomous meeting procedures are decided upon by individual meetings' group consensus). We encourage survivors who join our program to carry the message to other survivors by starting a new meeting. This can include specific formats, inclusive groups (such as gender exclusive, LGBTQ, BIPOC, non-religious, etc. The options are limitless as long as the new meetings follow SSAA's core principles.)
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Survivors are welcome in our meetings regardless of gender, race, or religious preference (18+).
Newcomers are encouraged to browse our FAQ and review our SSAA guidelines.
We are an individual, online-only entity and do not operate under a World Service Organization at this time. We aspire to continue to grow and develop with the help of willing volunteer members.
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Survivors qualify for our program no matter how their experiences differ. Survivor's experiences vary widely, but in SSAA we believe we share similar effects of trauma and can benefit from sharing our experience, strength, and hope and listening to others share. We learn not to deny what happened and that it was not our fault. No one deserves to carry blame or toxic shame for being abused or assaulted. In SSAA, we share and support one another in efforts to recover from the effects of sexual trauma.
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In dealing with our pain, it may feel as if we are opening a wound that never healed properly, and it hurts. However, it is easier to share when we have friends who are not afraid of our tears. We heal alongside survivors who believe us, stand with us, and understand the healing process cannot be hurried.
We can be comforted. We will never forget, but we can, in time, heal the shame, grief and self-destructive patterns and behaviors that often plague survivors. In time, if we work the program, we will enjoy its 12 promises.
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