Need as much advice as I can get!

[AlphaFrog]

A big part of a sorority is that their members *IDENTIFY* themselves as part of the sorority. I just don't think this type of victim is the kind that wants to shout it from the rooftops. As it is, domestic/sexual crimes are severely under-reported due to the blame and stigma victims usually place on themselves. Being able to discuss what happened may be part of the healing process, but it seems like a group like this would push that on the victim before they're ready, under the pretense of helping them.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

Being able to discuss what happened may be part of the healing process, but it seems like a group like this would push that on the victim before they're ready, under the pretense of helping them.

Yep. Kind of like outing people before they're ready.

OP, if you were in a sorority years ago, why don't you work up a program that they can use to educate their members and help these people you're referring to? You will reach MANY more people that way than with a local, very specialized sorority that will take DECADES before it has the reach and influence that any established sorority does.

I agree that identifying yourself as "victim, woman, mother etc etc" - i.e. putting the victim part first and making it your raison d'etre - is nothing but counterproductive. You can't recover if you wake up every day and give yourself the "beaten down" label.

[agzg]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

A big part of a sorority is that their members *IDENTIFY* themselves as part of the sorority. I just don't think this type of victim is the kind that wants to shout it from the rooftops. As it is, domestic/sexual crimes are severely under-reported due to the blame and stigma victims usually place on themselves. Being able to discuss what happened may be part of the healing process, but it seems like a group like this would push that on the victim before they're ready, under the pretense of helping them.

I 100% agree. It was years before I was able to not-even-openly discuss my experience and I doubt I'll ever be at the point where I'd be willing to be a walking billboard for a group built of survivors like I would for my GLO. In fact, as a survivor I'm mega uncomfortable wearing t-shirts associated with any group or event with a similar mission, and I don't do it.

Not that sorority membership is all about t-shirts, but it seems like many people who found groups (in this day and age) consider things like t-shirts way before considering things like ritual.