Important Information

Important Information Regarding SIA Groups and Meetings

GENERAL INFORMATION REGARDING SIA GROUPS:

• New SIA Groups are added weekly. Meetings change time and or location from time to time, you may want to reach out to the contact person to verify the information and if there are special circumstances related to the group (i.e. wheel chair access, smoking policy, etc). Be discreet when calling.

• The World Service Office and its service workers rely on the groups to keep us informed of changes. We encourage you to try and attend these meetings if they are near you and get back to us with what you found.

• This is a confidential list and is not to be used as a mailing list for any purpose. Each SIA group is autonomous and does not represent the SIA organization as a whole.

• According to the 12 Traditions any member of SIA can go to any meeting when they need one. These definitions are to direct people to meetings which will be predominantly attended by members of the specific orientation. Groups which have chosen by a group conscience to adhere to stricter criteria are identified below. But, no survivor should ever be turned away from a meeting.

GENERAL INFORMATION REGARDING PERPETRATORS

• Perpetrators of child sexual abuse are not allowed in any SIA meeting. SIA policy is determined by surveys sent to all registered groups.  According to that survey, “perpetrator” is defined as “a family member or trusted individual who violates that position by forcing, seducing or otherwise manipulating a child with overt or covert sexual behavior.” SIA is NOT the place to work on these issues.
• IMPORTANT NOTE:  As children some survivors were forced emotionally or physically to abuse other children. Because they were forced the SIA membership does not consider them perpetrators. The adult(s) who staged the forced abuse was 100% responsible.

INFORMATION REGARDING MINORS

• SIA World Service Office suggests that groups which allow minors must be aware of the laws in their particular state or country. Many jurisdictions have laws requiring reporting suspected (past or present) abuse of a minor. Therefore, confidentiality of the minor is limited.

• Adults who do not report the disclosures of minors may be in violation of their state or country laws. Teens and adults should be aware of this before they enter the room.

• Each SIA group is autonomous and does not represent the SIA organization as a whole. The World Service Office makes suggestions, but it does not police groups and is not responsible for anything that occurs at group meetings. Groups are independent organizations and have total control over their own activities. As long as a group follows the 12 Traditions of SIA and has a set of safety guidelines, they may call themselves an SIA Meeting and will be listed on this directory.

INFORMATION REGARDING SIA WORLD SERVICE OFFICE

MEETINGS ONLINE AND PHONE

• The WSO registers online and phone meetings with the assurance that they abide by the SIA Traditions and the general operating principles of the SIA program. Each group should have safety guidelines. We encourage all newcomers to try out different meetings where possible, so as to find the best fit for one’s personal recovery.