Havant abuse survivor establishing a support group as a ‘place of hope’ to help others recovering from similar trauma

Havant resident Pauline Sharp endured almost two decades of emotional, sexual and physical abuse, and has worked to raise awareness about the lack of help available for survivors of such terrible ordeals.

Now, the 59-year-old is establishing ‘Take Cover’, a women-only, peer-to-peer support group for survivors of abuse which will start on September 5 at the meeting room behind the United Reformed Church in Havant.

Pauline said: ‘The aim of the group is to provide a safe space for survivors who may need to be supported whilst in recovery.

‘For those who may not be able to access the necessary help in regard to therapy and need a place to be understood, listened to and supported.

‘Take Cover will be a place survivors can come and have that space to gain useful coping tools, resources and sign posting if needed.’

Pauline was abused by her parents at her childhood home, and now lives with health issues including PTSD.

For years she would drink heavily and binge eat to cope with the trauma, and although she eventually found the right therapy - and now aims to ‘bridge the gap’ caused by the lack of services available to survivors.

She hopes that Take Cover will be ‘a place of hope, positivity and to be welcomed and not feel alone’, and wants every survivor to ‘feel validated and worthy of being heard and supported’.

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Pauline added: ‘I believe because of lack of trauma informed help for survivors to get the right therapy, there are many who go under the radar and are not supported and feel alone in their recovery.

‘This could lead to having destructive coping mechanisms such as self harm addictions or even worse, suicide.

‘As a survivor myself who eventually got the help I needed I feel I can bridge the gap for those that need a safe space, a place to feel supported whilst waiting or even during the time of their recovery.

‘Having a safe space, a place of hope and a place to meet fellow survivors in my local community, I believe is something that is much needed and one I hope to fulfil.’

Find out more at take-cover.org.