What Do Adult Survivors of Child Abuse Need?

I don't normally start an article or post with a question but I really want to answer this question and I want help from people who visit this site.

We all need a helping hand at times
(photo by double helixes on DeviantArt)

What would you say? What do adult survivors of child abuse need?

This is what I am proposing a ministry provide initially to adult survivors of child abuse who are NOT currently addicting to drugs/alcohol or actively abusing their children. I separate this group because many child abuse and other social programs meet the needs of addiction and child abusers. But there is a gap in resources for people who are working as hard as they can to live appropriately and to raise their children in a nurturing home but who are struggling because of past abuse, trauma triggers, poor relational and parenting skills, no extended family, etc.

What does Living Visible provide?

·      In-home Life Coach - The main support provided by this non-profit organization is a weekly in-home visit by a case manager (a social worker or appropriate professional advisor) who individualizes the life resources, teaching and practical help depending upon the specific crucial areas identified by both the participant and the case manager.

·      Shared Resources – provide books, games, training, in-home teaching aids, parenting videos, marriage videos, etc. Information should be available on nutrition, meal preparation, bedtime/morning routines, budgeting, chores, house cleaning, communication skills, relationships, etc.

·      Practical Needs – the participating adult and in-home life coach should be able to decide on one or two of the most necessary practical needs that need to be met, such as a 3-hour weekly sitter for dr appointments/counseling, weekly house cleaning, weekly yard work, car maintenance, home repair, haircut appointments, homework tutors, extra curricula lessons and employment skill training.

·      Rewards – rewards are a very important part of the Living Visible program both for the Adult Survivor of Abuse, their spouse (if present) and their children. Substantive encouragement is vital to keep everyone engaged and excited about moving forward. Each year a family participates in the program they should be able to receive a one-year family pass to a local entertainment type facility (such as the zoo, a museum, a health club, etc.).  Also, it would be nice to provide rewards for monthly or quarterly goals met like free ice cream or meal out, a movie night pass, a trip to bowling/skating/water park/etc. to be used by In-home Life Coach when setting up goals with family.

Of course many more things can be provided but do you think this is a good start?

What ideas do you have? Would you have benefited from a program that offered this or would you wish a program was available where you lived that you could join?

 Would this begin to meet needs?

I would love feedback. I am in the process of designing a non-profit to help this segment of citizens.