Safety

Maintaining a safe space for survivors in SSAA takes priority. This extends to our Zoom Meetings, Wire group chats (both public and private messaging), etc.

​​

 

Privacy and Anonymity

• Use your first name, a nickname, pseudonym or alias in Zoom meetings and Group Chats 

  • Use Zoom.us account settings to change your display name

  • Rename yourself each time you join a Zoom meeting

• Choose a quiet, private space

  • Or use headphones to ensure privacy​

 

Meeting Etiquette​

• Generally, meetings ask for video cameras to be turned on at least once during introductions. 

• If you wish to remain anonymous and stay off camera, please acknowledge your presence verbally aloud or in the Zoom chat.

• Turn your video camera off to avoid distractions (eating, smoking, moving around etc.)

• Recording meetings is prohibited

  • Any SSAA participant may propose a change to this guideline or start a new meeting that includes differing guidelines from the ones listed above (e.g. requiring cameras on or off).

​

Respecting Others

• Newcomers are not required to share (you may say, "pass" aloud or in the Zoom chat)

• In some of our meetings, listening attendees offer brief supportive acknowledgements with the sharer's consent. In that case, please specify whether or not you would like to receive supportive feedback.

• According to individual meetings' group consensus, If the crosstalk guidelines have been broken, or a member feels emotionally unsafe they may choose to:

  • request or offer a "gentle reminder" aloud or in the Zoom chat (e.g. "Gentle reminder, avoid direct advice)

  • request or initiate 'time out' where we will pause the meeting, take a moment of silence, say the Serenity Prayer (optional) and resume sharing

  • Any member may request or initiate a group conscience or business meeting at any time as needed​ (ex. to change meeting procedures, literature, or formats)

 

​Security

• Hate speech or aggressive behaviors will not be tolerated

• Perpetrators of sexual abuse or assault are not allowed in our fellowship, and are encouraged seek other meetings and resources

• If guidelines have been breached, particularly regarding aggressive or hateful behavior, the Zoom host may temporarily remove participants to the waiting room.

• Breaches of these guidelines may also result in temporary or permanent removal from SSAA. 

​

Trigger Warnings

• Trigger warnings are not required in meetings as we don't ask survivors to censor themselves, within reason​.

  • Survivors who wish to alter meeting guidelines around trigger warnings may propose to do so or start a meeting that does include trigger warnings, they may do so if desired.​

• If you are triggered, you may lower your volume, step away from, or leave the meeting

• Trigger warnings are required in our Wire group chats in case readers wish to scroll past a post and to ensure a safe, respectful, an supportive outreach environment.

​​

​

Additional Guidelines

•  Do not seek physical intimacy or romantic connections with SSAA survivors

• Do not request favors, financial help, etc.