Meeting Formats
The following section explains the format for the various SSAA meetings.
After reading the SSAA Meeting Script we refer to formats associated with our Meeting Calendar.
12 Step Meeting
How it Works: We begin with a reading on one of the 12 Steps selected from the SSAA 12 Step Handbook These readings are designed to provide both an introduction to the 12 steps of SSAA and guidance on our recovery journey.
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After Reading: We read the corresponding "Questions to Consider" related to the step reading. These questions are designed to help us reflect on how the step applies to our own experiences and healing process.
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Sharing Begins: Participants may choose to share for a few minutes about their personal experience, the readings, or questions.
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Remember: Sharing your experiences can be a powerful step towards healing, and listening to others can provide valuable insights and encouragement. We are here to support each other on this path to recovery according to SSAA's guidelines.
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Note: Step Study Meetings are not a replacement for in-depth step work. Some SSAA members assemble to form co-sponsorship groups to work the steps together. Please see the 'Sponsorship' page to learn more.
Open Topic Meeting
How it Works: The group will collectively suggest and select recovery topics. Examples might include insights from SSAA literature, navigating complex emotions such as anger and shame, or coping with triggering events. The goal is to choose topics that resonate with the group, which provides support our healing journey.
Sharing Begins: Participants may share thoughts and feelings about the selected topics or any other experiences related to their trauma and recovery. Each participant will have a few minutes to share depending on how many people wish to share and are present.
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Remember: This is a space grounded in mutual respect and support. Sharing your experiences can be an empowering step towards healing, and actively listening to others can offer valuable insights, promote self-compassion, and encourage survivors on the path to recovery.
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Note:
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Any meeting format may opt to use a timer to ensure equal sharing time.
Personal Story: Speaker Meeting
​​​How it Works:
Once the script is read, volunteer speaker(s) are given uninterrupted time to share their experiences or any aspects relevant to their SSAA recovery journey. Speakers may share without a time limit, ensuring they are heard and respected. ​
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Alternative Format: If no speakers volunteer, the meeting may adopt an 'Open Topic' or other format that is decided by group consensus that day.
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Preparation to Share: Survivors are encouraged to express their desire to speak:
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the day of the meeting
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by reserving a spot in advance
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To reserve a time to speak, participants may announce their intention in meetings or the Wire group chat(s).
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Empathetic, Supportive Acknowledgments:
After a speaker shares, listeners may offer brief, supportive acknowledgments with the speaker's consent. If a speaker prefers not to receive acknowledgments, they can state as such after their share.
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Sharing Begins: Following the speaker’s share, the group will decide through consensus how to proceed with sharing for the remainder of the meeting (ex: timed or not, allow more than one speaker, etc.).
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The Importance of Sharing: Sharing personal experiences aids us in Step 5: "Admitted to a loving higher power, to ourselves, and to another human being our strengths and weaknesses". ​
Remember: This approach encourages a safe space for survivors to share their stories (in accordance with both the individual meeting's procedures and SSAA's Guidelines).
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Speaker meetings are currently held on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month as a part of our rotational format.​
Book Club Meeting
How it Works:
The group reads the SSAA script to open the meeting. Then, they read selected passages from our current books, which have been thoughtfully chosen by the group to support our healing journey. ​​
Literature: is not required in advance. Readings may be shared on-screen via Zoom screen share. Additionally, there is no requirement to have read the material beforehand; you are welcome to join at any time. ​
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f you would like to browse and download the book club literature: Click Here.
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Sharing Begins: Intermittent sharing occurs between multiple readings decided by the group and its individual meeting procedures. In general we encourage equitable share time to ensure everyone has the opportunity to be heard.
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Remember: The safety and comfort of survivors is the utmost priority. SSAA survivors are encouraged to support each other with compassion and understanding (in accordance with SSAA's guidelines & the meeting's individual procedures) as we navigate individual paths to recovery through sharing experiences, strength and hope in a supportive community.​​​
Rotational Format Meetings
Weekly meetings may choose to rotate between all the formats (listed below) each month. Currently rotational format meetings are held on Saturdays.
For example:​
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Week 1: 12- Step Meeting: 'Step of the month'
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Week 2: Personal Story - Speaker Meeting
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Week 3: 'Promise and Tradition of the Month'
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Week 4: Personal Story - Speaker Meeting
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Week 5: Open Topic & Share Meeting
Tradition & Promise Meetings
Join us for our combined Tradition Meetings and Promise Meetings
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The 3rd Saturday of each month:
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Note: This format has combined focus on the 'Tradition & Promise of the month', but newly created, future formats may include a focus on one or the other exclusively.
How it Works: We delve into SSAA's Traditions and Promises that align with the current month
(e.g., May - Tradition & Promise 5, etc).
These meetings are part of our rotational format provide a unique opportunity to explore each Tradition and Promise in depth.
Sharing Begins: After we read the Promise and Tradition excerpts from SSAA's 12 Step Handbook, each participant will have an opportunity to share for a few minutes.
Want to create a new meeting format?
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Survivors who have been empowered by their experience in SSAA, have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by starting a new meeting that brings hope and healing to even more survivors. You can choose to build upon our established meeting formats or pioneer a fresh approach that caters to the unique needs of a specific group of survivors. Whatever path you choose, know that you'll be 'carrying the message to survivors' (Step 12) and supporting those who need it most. Take the first step towards creating a safe and inclusive space for others seeking to find community and healing.
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.