Stepping Stones offers educational support groups to provide supportive fellowship—and an important step toward freedom from victimization
By Alexis Miller
Leaving an abusive or violent relationship is only one step in the journey to find freedom. Many who come to Stepping Stones for advocacy services, including safe shelter, are seeking immediate safety and support. But what comes next, after the immediate crisis has subsided? A person can choose to no longer be a victim.
Finding freedom from victimization is moving beyond the crisis and working on the “stuff” in a person’s life that may be keeping him or her vulnerable—but that he or she has the power to change. At Stepping Stones, we call this taking an honest self-inventory; take a step back and identify the areas of life that hard work and dedication can change.
A person spending money she doesn’t have, or turning to drugs or other substances when life feels too difficult are examples of behaviors that keep a person vulnerable to abuse or victimization. They’re also opportunities to take to take control, and to work towards change by discovering the root causes of these behaviors and choices.
One way to discover these root causes is through Stepping Stones’ support groups.
Jenny (whose name we changed to protect her privacy) came to live in shelter because of her five-year-long abusive marriage. As she worked to identify areas she wanted to change in her life, she started to recognize that unresolved situations from her childhood were keeping her vulnerable. During a group session about family dynamics she shared, “I knew my life was off, and now I know why.”
The group explored topics she had never considered could have an impact on her life now. This was her “light bulb” moment: when the pieces began to fall into place for her. Once she recognized these issues, she was able to begin addressing them through counseling and supportive fellowship with others who had similar experiences.
Educational support groups are available nearly every day at Stepping Stones’ Prescott Valley and Prescott locations. Some topics for support groups include: What is Abuse, Codependency, Boundaries, Family Dynamics, and Childhood Trauma. Anyone can attend these groups; attendees don’t have to live in our shelter to receive any of Stepping Stones’ advocacy services. Advocates are always available to talk on the 24/7/365 Helpline – from questions or concerns about a relationship to those who are in crisis because of abuse.
There is power in identifying challenges and working to make life changes. It isn’t easy, but through support from advocates, peers, and professionals, it is possible to choose to be free from all forms of victimization.
To learn more about Stepping Stones’ educational support groups, call our 24/7/365 Helpline at 928.445.4673 or visit www.steppingstonesaz.org/pwm.
Relationship Check-up
Just like taking a car in for a tune up, relationships need wellness checks to identify areas that need attention. Take this short, five-question assessment to identify some covert or nuanced signs that something may be “off” in your relationship (the full assessment is available online).
- Does your partner monitor your time and make you account for where you were and whom you were with?
- Does your partner accuse you of having affairs or is he/she suspicious of your relationships with your friends?
- Is your partner ever rude or demeaning to your friends?
- Does your current relationship dominate your time? Does your partner try to isolate you from your friends and family?
- Has your partner ever driven recklessly with you in the car?
There isn’t a magic number of “yes” answers that create a dangerous situation, yet answering “yes” to three or more questions is an indicator that you should call our 24/7 Helpline and speak with an advocate. This call can be as simple as evaluating if your “yes” answers mean your relationship needs more than a quick tune-up. Calls can be anonymous and advocacy services are available to anyone, not just those who need safe shelter. Remember – you’re just checking things out!
To view the full assessment and learn more about Stepping Stones, visit www.steppingstonesaz.org/pwm.