Christian Survivors of Sexual Abuse (CSSA) is a national organisation with members from all churches. It was set up to provide support to those Christians who had been sexually abused in childhood. By ‘Christian’ we do not just mean those survivors who attend church but also those who seek to follow Christ. We know that some survivors feel unable to attend church because they have felt rejected or betrayed by Christians when they disclosed past abuse. Often appropriate support has not been offered and this has caused some survivors much pain. CSSA is run by survivors of abuse for survivors, although we do not offer counselling or therapy we are committed to providing peer support for survivors. We have an inclusive policy towards race, gender, sexual orientation and capability. Membership of CSSA is free and we seek to provide help by offering a support network across the country as some survivors are very isolated.
In some areas there are local self-help groups of survivors. There is for example one in Oxford that meets once a month. The number of local groups is gradually increasing as survivors feel confident and able to set them up. At present we only have groups for women survivors of abuse although CSSA membership does include male survivors of abuse. We are aware that male survivors of abuse have different experiences and needs to those of women survivors. We hope that in the future male survivors will feel able to set up groups. The local groups are neither therapeutic nor prayers groups but ‘hello, how are you?’ groups. Prayer and spirituality are important to survivors of abuse and we seek to offer a safe space to explore and express issues of faith in light of their past experiences. It is not possible to separate the experience of abuse from our faith journey(s).
CSSA National has a committee made up of survivors from around the country who meet twice a year to maintain the smooth running of the organisation.
CSSA National has recently gained charitable status. Donations as well as financing our general costs enable us to provide bursaries for survivors who would other wise be unable to attend retreats. They also enable us to run national events such as the annual service.
CSSA National - Events and Activities
At present CSSA National runs an annual retreat for women survivors of abuse. This is one of the main times when survivors from across the country have an opportunity to come together pray and explore their faith within a safe environment. This year our retreat was facilitated by Margaret Silf and together we explored Sacred Space.
CSSA National holds an annual service for survivors and their supporters. It is a very important time for many survivors. It provides an opportunity where liturgy is created by survivors and allows us to come together to worship God in a way that is safe and real. It enables us to express ourselves before God. As well as sharing in worship together we are able to catch up with old friends and meet new people too. The services are always very different but profoundly moving with some survivors commenting that they feel this is real church for them.
CSSA National also has a wall hanging made up of 72 squares courageously made by survivors to represent aspects of their journey towards healing. It has been displayed at many services and events. It has a profound affect on those who see it. The Courage to Tell: Survivors tell their stories published by CBTI shows some of the squares and the survivors then have written about why they created their particular square. Survivors are still able to create squares although the original wall hanging is complete as we plan to make new panels for display.
CSSA produces a national newsletter, ‘Snowdrop’, three times a year. It contains news and views of interest to survivors and their supporters. Subscription is open to all who are interested in the work of CSSA.
CSSA National can be contacted at:
CSSA National
c/o 38 Sydenham Villas Rd
Cheltenham
Glos. GL52 6DZ
and
CSSA Oxford at:
c/o BSR
Diocesan Church House
North Hinksey
Oxford
OX2 ONB
CSSA National registered charity number: 1113846
