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What we do

Survivor connections currently has two streams of work

Stream 1

Relational Remedy
Providing Peer Support

Providing intentional, structured peer support via our four core functions.

It focuses on connection, shared understanding, and walking alongside people on their journeys of recovery.

Our framework provides guidance for a clear scope of practice, required training, and evidence-informed approaches,

Relational Remedy

Stream 2

Sharing Lived Expertise
An Engagement Initiative

This stream creates pathways for survivors to share their lived expertise in professional and meaningful ways.

We are currently building a Development Pathway, Engagement Network and practice resources that will support survivors to contribute to anti-slavery efforts.

Sharing Expertise

Both streams of our work are guided by four main functions: providing resources, referrals, support, and social connection.

ADVOCACY, LEADERSHIP,
EMPOWERMENT, VOICE

Function 1. RESOURCE

  1. Lived Expertise
  2. Website
  3. Social Media
  4. Flyers
  5. Training

Function 2. REFERRAL

  1. Services/Support
  2. Health/Wellbeing
  3. Legal/Justice
  4. Housing
  5. Financial/Employment

Function 3. SUPPORT

  1. Individual/Group Support
  2. Practical
  3. Emotional

Function 4. SOCIAL

  1. Events
  2. Activities
  3. Networking
  4. Fun

 Outcome Targets

It is impossible to achieve goals without aiming for specific outcomes. Sometimes the challenges we face as survivors make it hard to believe that it is possible to move from surviving, to thriving.

As a community, we identified six key outcomes that we believe are important in rebuilding our lives.

Meet core needs
Housing Affordable, long-term.
Safety Safety means different things to different people. It can be physical, emotional/psychological, or social safety.
Stability Shifting circumstances undermine the stability needed to heal and work toward long term goals.
Connection Isolation and loneliness increase risk of revictimisation.
Sustainability Pathways to education, training, income or employment.
Purpose Purpose fosters resilience, provides motivation and strength to fight for healing.
Provide hope
Learn from others Believing that healing and thriving is possible because of shared journeys of recovery.
Centre a can-do attitude Systemic barriers decimate hope. Peer support acknowledges the barriers, while finding ways forward with what 'can be done'.
Promote recovery
'Recovery' means different things to different people Identifying goals and actively supporting someone to work towards them.
Solving root causes of harm is the focus 'Temporary' or short-term solutions lead to instability and limit recovery. Long-term solutions rather than 'band-aid' solutions are actively identified and pursued (for example, housing, income) to help people reclaim functional autonomy.
Facilitate relational healing
Discover identity and authenticity As opposed to referencing the demands of others.
Practise new communication skills Learning to express needs and boundaries.
Identify safe interactions Learning to identify interactions that allow trust to grow, and are reliable, transparent, kind, responsive and respectful of needs.
Learn to navigate conflict Learning to express needs, set boundaries, and regulate emotions. Learning that disagreement can be navigated in respectful ways.
Affirm dignity
Acknowledge Acknowledging individual lived experience but seeing the person beyond the trauma.
Deconstruct shame Deconstructing shame among peers can help support people in recognising that what happened to them doesn't define them. It can foster self-compassion and understanding that trauma does not make them unworthy or unlovable.
Create opportunities Creating a range of opportunities for peers to realise goals and dreams that are important to them.
Provide feedback and validation This is critical to someone who's sense of worth has been systematically decimated.
Develop functional autonomy
Empower choice Supporting someone to consider all options available to them.
Identify priorities Supporting someone to identify priorities when complex needs become overwhelming.
Create a safe space to practice making own decisions Celebrate a 'no' and boundary setting, foster a culture of learning, even from mistakes.