Introducing
a new support group for sexual trauma
As an outreach offering through Beloved: Not Forgotten, SAAFE Circle is a place for women ages 18 and over who have been violated in any kind of way sexually - childhood sexual abuse, rape, trafficking, exploitation, etc. It is a safe, confidential support community of survivors where we can respectfully discuss issues that impact our lives. We have unique stories...common threads, and are all beloved.
We recognize the unique challenges of living with trauma. We believe connecting with other survivors is an important part of the healing process. Please know that you are not alone, As a survivor, you may feel isolated and like no one understands. We're women who understand the journey of recovering and reclaiming our lives. This is a group to offer encouragement, support, validation, and information in a faith-based setting. We aspire to ensure that you feel safe sharing your story.
Healing knows no timeline and trauma is trauma - no need to measure. We support each other for issues common in healing after rape, sexual assault, & sexual abuse such as flashbacks, depression, anxiety, and PTSD; self-injury and self-harm; eating disorders; relationships, sex & intimacy; spirituality; pregnancy & parenting; and legal concerns, etc.
Mission
Provide a safe, confidential, supportive community where women 18 and older who have been victimized by any form of sexual trauma are able to share like experiences, learn how to cope with the impact of trauma, and walk together in their journey of healing.
Vision
That adult survivors of sexual trauma will transform the negative impact of their experiences in to positive strengths, rise above to heal from the traumas, and thrive with purpose for the future.
Purpose
That adult survivors of sexual trauma use their experiences as fuel to transform their scars, reclaim their lives, and lead others to wholeness.
The group meets every other TUESDAY at 6:30 p.m. in the Warsaw, Indiana area, starting August 10th. Please contact us for exact location and further information.
Upcoming Dates:
- April 4, 2023
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- April 18, 2023
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- May 2, 2023
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- May 16, 2023
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A little about us...
Tina Arend
Tina Arend is a daughter of Jesus Christ. He has called her by name. She is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse from a very early age by several adults who were supposed to be caring for her. She has navigated the challenges of DID, C-PTSD, depression/anxiety, OCD, ED, and a few other disordered behaviors as an aftermath of the traumas. She has learned to access her repressed memories during intense weekly therapy over the last seven years and by using art therapy. She is a wife of 22 years, the mother to three adult children, and a volunteer with Beloved: Not Forgotten.
Tina's "Words of Wisdom" are: Embrace Your Resiliency
Bonne Long
Bonnie Long is a survivor of domestic/sexual abuse. She has battled depression, anxiety, and fear as well as many other after effects of her trauma. She has grown through counseling and her always growing relationship with Jesus Christ. She is a wife of 26 years, a mother to three wonderful children, and a grandmother to four beautiful grandchildren. She is an active member and women's ministry leader at her church, the RUWN and is currently pursuing training in Christian counseling to help answer God's call o her life to help women in need.
Bonnie's "Words of Wisdom" are: Surrendering to it brings hope and through the process peace.
Heather Bontrager
Heather is a sexual/domestic abuse survivor of almost 15 years. After her experiences with the abuse God laid it on her heart to help others experiencing the same strife. She has a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology and is currently finishing her master's degree in Psychology with a passion for women of rape, abuse, and human trafficking. She has been married to the love of her life for 7 years, is a step-mama to three beautiful women, and is a grandmother to three handsome boys.
Heather's "Words of Wisdom" are: More of Him and less of me.
Trust
We have been talking about the word "Trust" in SAAFE Circle the past few meetings. These are participants' thoughts about trust and how that word affects their lives, expressed through pictures and poems. It's part of the healing process. Everyone sees that word differently. Everyone expresses that word differently. Everyone interprets that word differently. No one answer is right or wrong.
It’s just a word
Five letters
One Syllable
A blip on the radar
A speck in the universe
Just say it
Vowels and Consonants
Stirred together
Like sugar into your coffee
Or a batter
Of Grandma’s world famous
Chocolate Chip Cookies
You can do it
You can find it
Patience my child
I will make you work for it
I will leave you
Discourage You
Embarrass You
Provide you with
A feeling of complete failure
Or the weight of a semi-truck
Stifling down your strong shoulders
If you want it
You must play
Play my version of Life
My version of Candy Land
You must follow the path
The path I’ve laid out
Because there is no other way
Only my way, my plan
That’s how I keep control
How I control the narrative
How I control what you know
What you can see
What you can feel
What you can hurt
It’s how I control when you
Can abuse the power you’ve been given
The door is locked
With the do not enter sign
placed perfectly below the window
of the door
through the window you think
you see what is happening
you think you see the finish line
like this is your only task
getting through the door
you think you’ve arrived
waiting for me to open it
let you in
down the path
the obstacle course is next
weaving in and out
bobbing up and down
physical strength needed here
mental strength necessary
have you made it?
crossed the finish line
broken through the barriers
try again
the sharks are just ahead
the smell of blood
enticing them
they know what is coming
they know the fear
that they carry
the emotions they stir inside
the question here is simple
will you turn back
or will you swim
paddle through
have you made it this far?
have you considered giving up yet?
It’s okay if you want to turn back
It’s okay if this is too much
Lots of people do
If not it’s on to the laser beams
A dance of the feet
Gracefulness in the hands
The red lights gleaming
From end to end
Ceiling to floor
If you can make it
A gymnast’s accomplishment
Waits at the end
You’ve arrived at the treasure
And now you must dig
Dig deep and wide
However, are you sure
You are digging in the right spot
It doesn’t hold a x
To mark the spot
It doesn’t have an arrow
Pointing out it’s location
It’s a guessing game
Two inches to the left
Five inches to the north
How long will you stay here?
How long will you excavate?
Will you pass this test?
You’ve finally discovered the treasure
Only to discover
A box inside a box
Five layers of cedar
Perfectly wrapping
The box inside with splinters
And nails
What’s your strategy here
How will you break through the layers?
How will you bust through to what’s beneath?
How will you get to the center?
How will you get to the truth?
Do you even know that the truth is here?
At last you’ve made it
To the place that holds it all
It must be right?
Are you sure?
Sure you don’t want to turn back?
One last challenge
Stands before you
A password
That changes every minute
Millions of options
Millions of combinations
And you must choose just one
What will it be?
Can you crack the code?
It’s just a word
Five letters
One Syllable
A blip on the radar
A speck in the universe
Just say it
Vowels and Consonants
Stirred together
Like sugar into your coffee
Or a batter
Of Grandma’s world famous
Chocolate Chip Cookies
But before I say it
Before I give you what you
So desperately want
I need something from you
I Need you to
Go back to where you live
Go back to where you came from
Start Over
From the beginning
Trust has not been gained yet
And I … I will run away