Organizations & Support Groups for Incest Survivors

For incest survivors having a hard time or wanting to embark on a path to thriving, supportive groups and communities can be a lifeline. The following support groups and directories are designed for incest and other abuse survivors and those who support their healing.

Support Groups for Incest Survivors

1 in 6: This organization sponsors free and anonymous chat-based support groups for male survivors of sexual abuse seeking a community of support. Sessions are offered Monday through Friday. These written chat (no audio or video) groups focus on education and mutual support for males and are facilitated by a counselor.

bIRch House: The bIRch House is dedicated to healing for female adult survivors of incest and childhood sexual abuse through programs, resources, education, and advocacy.

Empower Survivors - Sibling Sexual Trauma and Abuse Support Group: A peer-led support group and safe space for individuals to gather support, learn and grow. EmpowerSurvivors is a nonprofit that serves those sexually abused in childhood. We believe in bringing survivors of this crime together to support one another through the healing process, share, and learn.

The Healing & CPTSD Foundation: The Healing and CPTSD Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to providing community, resources and advocacy for complex trauma survivors and those who suffer from CPTSD.

HelpRoom: HelpRoom is an anonymous online group chat option that allows members of the community who have been affected by sexual violence to connect with one another. Trained staff facilitate group discussions to ensure a safe environment for all visitors to discuss topics and experiences related to sexual violence.

Hidden Water Circle: This organization has groups meeting weekly — either in-person or online — that are designed to enable participants to find the growing edge of their healing alongside others who have had similar experiences with childhood sexual abuse.

Isurvive: Isurvive is an online abuse survivor support group. Their forums/chat rooms are open to adult survivors and their loved ones seeking to heal from all forms of abuse, including sexual, physical, verbal, emotional, and ritual.

The Lamplighters: This organization is dedicated to recovery from incest and child sexual abuse. They have chapters located throughout the US that organize groups for survivors.

National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse: NAASCA’s website has a list of recovery groups and services worldwide for adult survivors of abuse, including incest. Their online daytime recovery meetings are an open discussion forum about child abuse trauma and recovery and are hosted by volunteer members.  

Sexual Assault Advocacy Network (SAAN) Facebook Group: SAAN was founded to support the people who support sexual violence survivors. Their active Facebook group connects survivor-advocates who are working to support other incest and other sexual abuse survivors, change policy, and raise awareness.

Survivors of Incest Anonymous (SIA): SIA is a 12-step recovery program for adult survivors of incest. They offer a range of peer-support groups, including virtual, phone, and in-person - all free of cost. Their website contains other resources and information of interest to incest survivors.

StopSO: This organization’s Support for Families Online Group is designed to be a safe and supportive space for family members of a sexual offender or for family members of someone who is worried that they may cause sexual harm. (This organization also provides services for those at risk of offending and concerned about their thoughts or behavior.)

Triumphant Trauma Tribe: Started by an experienced therapist, this is a virtual group support meeting for trauma survivors gathering several times per week. The format is a combination of sharing and group support. If you have something you're going through, they encourage you to talk about it and others can give feedback, support, or just general encouragement. There is a screening process to get into the group; this ensures that the membership is appropriate for this setting. 

In-person services in your local area:

If you are looking for services in your local area, the Me Too organization has an excellent directory for sexual assault services and organizations that is searchable by location, community, need, and abuse experience.

Resources for LGBTQ, people of color, and undocumented survivors:

Survivors who are LGBTQ, from communities of color, and/or undocumented can face unique barriers when accessing services and finding providers and groups that understand their needs. 

The LGBTQ National Hotline refers to over 15,000 resources across the country that support LGBTQ individuals, and coordinates weekly chatrooms for gay and trans youth. 

If you are undocumented and don’t feel safe reporting abuse or getting help, the National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence’s Immigration page is chock full of links to assistance for immigrant survivors.

If you are a survivor of color, there are online resources and information that are well worth exploring. This article covers the topic of self care for people of color following trauma. The Me Too organization has an extensive healing resource library, guidance (written for survivors of color in particular) seeking help and advice but not knowing where to start, and tools and tips from leading experts on healing practices. For those identifying as female seeking a tight-knit community and leadership development opportunities, the National Organization of Sisters of Color Ending Sexual Assault (SCESA) is a great resource. They create space, opportunities, training, and support for women of color to enhance their personal and professional development goals while building community and sisterhood in the anti-sexual assault movement. The Women of Color Network has similar programming, running a leadership training institute and ally trainings, among other initiatives.

Searchable databases that support incest survivors:

Psychology Today’s website has a “Find a Therapist” directory of therapists, psychiatrists, treatment centers, and support groups located throughout the US that is searchable by city or zip code. 

RAINN’s “Find Help Near You” database connects incest survivors to information about centers located in their region that may offer support groups and other local resources.

NSVRC has compiled a list of websites and resources offering support and help for incest survivors, which includes links to support groups. It can be accessed here.

Additional programs that support incest survivors.

For many incest survivors, coping with the effects of incest - and learning how to feel fulfilled in life - takes a community. Incest survivors benefit tremendously from services and groups that represent their unique identities and understand the families and places from which they come. 

Survivors of incest have found these additional programs and resources helpful for connecting with others in healing environments, sharing experiences, and learning more about sexual violence. 

After Silence: After Silence’s message board and chat room was created to let sexual assault survivors know they are not alone, not broken, and can heal. These forums provide space for survivors to come together in a mutually supportive and safe environment.

The Firecracker Foundation: This organization offers no-cost therapy and other free services to black boys who have been victims of sexual violence.

Girls Fight Back: Survivor experience can dramatically alter feelings of safety in the world. Girls Fight Back’s seminars empower young women to learn violence prevention and self-defense. They make the dual topics of preventing violence and fighting back approachable for everyone - in particular students, who can opt for sessions on Students Fight Back and Fight Back on Spring Break.

Hope Thrives: For those seeking a spiritual healing experience, this organization organizes weekend retreats throughout the year and one-day conferences for adult female survivors of childhood sexual abuse at their retreat center in George to reflect, connect, and heal in a Christian environment.

MaleSurvivor: MaleSurvivor’s moderated discussion boards and private, real-time chat dialogue spans a broad range of topics relevant to male survivors, including recovering from sexual trauma, LGBTQ+ survivor issues, military survivors, and more.

MenHealing Weekend of Recovery Retreats: WOR Retreats in the US and Canada provide support for adult male survivors of sexual trauma. The environment recognizes the safety needs for male-identified survivors, and seeks to acknowledge and honor the authentic diversities of attendees at each WOR (racial, ethnic, class, spirituality, sexuality, gender,  etc.). Alumni of WOR retreats report the experience contributed to easing their suffering, enabling higher functioning, facilitating healthier relationships with friends, partners, and children, inspiring activism, and diminishing the cycle of victimization.

Pandora’s Project: This organization provides peer support to sexual abuse survivors through their online forum Pandora’s Aquarium. Their message board and chat room is moderated by a diverse group of survivors.

Perpetually Healing: This website is a compilation of poetry and writings authored by survivors of sexual abuse and offers the Perpetually Healing podcast series, designed to redirect the shame of childhood sexual abuse.

Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN): RAINN is the nation’s largest organization devoted exclusively to sexual violence, including incest. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline in English and Spanish and carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help survivors, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice. 

Sibling Sexual Trauma: A website devoted entirely to the topic of sibling sexual abuse, with resources, information, help, and guidance on one of the least talked about forms of incest abuse. 

The Younique Foundation Haven Retreat: Three weeks each month, The Younique Foundation hosts female survivors of childhood sexual abuse at The Haven Retreat, located in Utah and Georgia in the US. This multi-day experience is geared toward survivors ready to learn, reflect on their experience, and rejuvenate. Participants engage in group and individual activities at no cost to them with one aim in mind - to help survivors heal from the trauma of sexual abuse.