Young women’s support group begins

PARIS — REACH (Rape Education and Crisis Hotline) has begun a new young women’s support group, which will meet on Tuesdays, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the REACH office. Participants are welcome to come earlier (from 2 p.m. on) to do homework, hang out, etc.

This group is for young women, ages 15 to 20, who are healing from past sexual assault. It will be facilitated by REACH Educator and Support Group Facilitator Beth McIntyre. The meetings will focus on healthy relationships and will encompass a variety of hands-on creative art projects and other activities, which participants will be involved in developing.

Enrollment is revolving, so there is no end date. The group is designed to fit participant schedules, is flexible enough so that attendance every week is not mandatory and is free of charge.

REACH is the sexual assault crisis center for Oxford County and the towns of Bridgton and Harrison. REACH Educators present age appropriate prevention and safety programs for students in grades pre-K through high school. REACH also offers crisis intervention and support services to victims and survivors, and concerned others, ranging from one-to-one support, to support groups. Services are free and confidential.

Staff and volunteer Advocates can accompany sexual assault victims to the hospital and provide support to a victim and family through the legal process; REACH Staff and Advocates staff a 24-hour sexual assault support line that is available to individuals who may have been recently assaulted or sometime in the past; REACH also has a lending library on site.

If you would like to sign up for the support group or want to learn more about it, please contact Beth McIntyre at REACH, 743-9777, x6 or e-mail bmeducator@reachmaine.org.