FARMINGTON – A new group will explore participants’ empowerment and recovery through scrapbooking with a 10-week session from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays at the Sexual Assault Crisis and Support Center on Pleasant Street. The group starts March 27, but new members will be accepted until April 3.

“Taking a look at the effects of abuse and addressing positive ways to deal with the stresses is the focus of the group,” said Pamela Adams, a co-facilitator of the group and SAVES employee. “All of that fits under empowerment because the effect of abuse diminishes a sense of who am I, what do I want, what do I need,” she said.

While the intent is not to teach scrapbooking, participants will create their own scrapbooks using whatever materials they are comfortable with, she said. It might be writings or photos or just words and stickers from magazines.

“One of the beauties of this group,” Adams said, “is that they will have a record of their journey to look back on for strength.”

Sessions will begin with an introductory topic such as: self care tools, a right to a voice, acceptance of self and others, a right to respect and trust self and others. The group will continue to talk about the topic as they work on their scrapbooks, she said.

“The focus will be on the positive, not the abuse,” she said. “Sometimes it can be a safer, gentler way to address the effects of abuse rather than talking about it and reliving the experience.”

All materials will be provided except for photos and personal writings. The Sexual Assault Victims Emergency Services received a grant from the Maine Justice Assistance Council to provide funds for support groups for adult women survivors of sexual violence.

Adams and Shanna Martin, a SAVES advocate, will facilitate the group. There is no cost to attend, although there is an application process. For more information or to apply, contact Adams, director of Client Services at SAVES, at 778-9522 or by e-mail at [email protected]

SAVES also provides support groups to the community based on the Trauma Recovery and Empowerment Model. One is in progress for adult women survivors of sexual violence. Others are available at area high schools for teens as part of SAVES school-based program.

Serving Franklin County, SAVES’ 24-four hour help line number is 1-800-871-7741. Local cell phone users may contact the help line by dialing 778-0110.