SURVIVORS of sexual and domestic abuse have set up a new support group in York.

Soulspace is being launched by Jo Matthews, Mel Sanderson and Jen Potter who have all experienced abuse. It will be open to men and women, and meets for the first time next month.

Jo, Mel and Jen were all supported by domestic abuse charity IDAS, which is now helping them with the group.

Jo said: “We hadn’t met before and said to IDAS ‘what happens after this?’, and we felt there was a group there. IDAS pointed out that three of us all wanted the same thing, so we met up and that’s how it started. It’s for men and women, and you don’t even have to go through the IDAS process.

“We don’t want it to be an ‘all men are abusers’ kind of thing, that’s why we wanted to open it up to men and women. It’s not about us women digging our heels in. We’re not trained counsellors just three girls who have been through some stuff and want to help other people.”

Mel said: “We felt there wasn’t really a space; there were a lot of counselling opportunities and things like that, but not something after IDAS finishes, somewhere you can go.There’s a big misconception that when the trial is done, normal life resumes.

"That may well be the case for friends and family who’ve supported you, but not necessarily for us so it’s just giving people that safe space to come and be with people who’ve been through a similar experience.”

Jen who recently published a book detailing her experience of sexual abuse and how she has moved on with her life said dealing with sexual violence was a daily struggle.

She said: “We wanted this space to be a really safe place for people to be able to come together once a month, have a cup of tea, hang out with other people who know what you’re going through, who know the emotions that you’re feeling are completely normal.

“The other thing that’s really important to us is that this is a group for everybody. It’s a group for men and women, girls and boys, we want everyone to feel included.”

For more information on the group, email info@soulspace.org.uk or go to facebook.com/soulspaceyork