The Dudley T. Dougherty Foundation

Teen Support Group for Sexually Abused Girls

Grant Information
Requested 10000.0
Granted 3000
Categories Community
Location South Texas
Grant Cycle2017
Organization Info
Children's Advocacy Center of the Coastal Bend http://Children's Advocacy Center of the Coastal Bend
Grant Description
Description The Teen Support Group for Sexually Abused Girls is a closed group that consists of around six to eight girls. This allows the teens to form a bond with each other and encourages a comfortable and safe environment to share with the same people each week. The program is designed as a six-week program that is conducted with a structured curriculum completed throughout the weeks. Each group is guided through the curriculum and members are encouraged to commit to the full six weeks to obtain maximum benefits. Parents of the teens are provided a consent form to sign before each group begins and are informed of the topics each week to encourage communication with their teens about what they are learning and experiencing while participating in the group.<br/> <br/>The Teen Support Group for Sexually Abused Girls was designed as a support group and not a therapy group, which is explained to anyone interested in the program. The purpose is not to process any trauma, abuse, or life difficulties that may have occurred, but to provide a place to learn and practice skills with the help of their peers and how to apply them in their daily lives moving forward. This program is designed to enhance any other treatments, including individual counseling, and members are encouraged to continue other services. The group is free to everyone who joins, but they must be registered. This allows the CACCB to have a head count prior to the group beginning to better accommodate members once the group begins. Each group is provided dinner every week and the members are encouraged to come as early as 5:45 p.m. to have dinner with their peers and to form new friendships.<br/><br/>The curriculum begins each week at 6:15 p.m. and lasts until 7:15 p.m. Parents are welcome to wait in our waiting room or return to pick up their child at the end. For each week of the group, there is a new topic of discussion that involves a different activity to enhance discussion. All materials and supplies are provided by The Children’s Advocacy Center of the Coastal Bend.<br/><br/>In addition to Nueces County, the Children’s Advocacy Center of the Coastal Bend provides courtesy services in the Coastal Bend including Aransas, Bee, Brooks, Duvall, Jim Wells, Kenedy, Kleberg, Live Oak, McMullen, Refugio, and San Patricio counties.<br/>
Used for Funds will be used to underwrite the cost of The Teen Support Group for Sexually Abused Girls. This ongoing program is facilitated by a licensed therapist and follows a structured curriculum. The group provides emotional support and lessens the trauma to female teen-agers who have been the victims of severe sexual abuse and sex-trafficking.
Benefits Teens involved in this group become better equipped to deal with the myriad of problems that occur after experiencing such trauma. The group helps victims become survivors and end the cycle of abuse. The program helps prevent these girls from getting into abusive relationships, becoming sexually trafficked, or turning to prostitution on their own.