ASHA Meet-ups is a peer-support sanctuary for the adult survivors of child sexual abuse (CSA) and their allies. This space is created by survivors, for the survivors.

We host monthly meet-ups and explore different themes, patterns, coping mechanisms and life-strategies that we have adopted as the adult survivors of CSA. Through our meet-ups, we are lifting up the veil of stigma and shame, creating a growing community of survivors and allies.

The genesis of ASHA Meet-ups could be traced back to an uncanny friendship that was developed between two friends, Annie & Sahil. Coming in contact through other people while holidaying on a desolate beach near Kolkatta, Annie spoke to Sahil first of her experiences of being a survivor of child sexual abuse. They immediately developed a connection but it took Sahil 6 months of their friendship to finally tell Annie that he is a survivor as well.

What happened then was a waterhed moment for their friendship, where they started speaking the invisible language of two fellow survivors, together discerning the patterns and coping mechanisms, and progressing on their individual journeys as survivors. Over the time, they became curious if such a space, that they found in each other, existed for other survivors as well. This curiousity started their pursuit of a mental health space, which was sadly, nowhere to be found. There were clinical, therapy practices, but nothing that would allow survivors to come together and offer peer support. We know, we searched!

Failing to find such a space, we decided to create it ourselves. The decision was followed by immense preparation, upskilling, research, and seeking support from other active mental health meet-ups. Finally, after 5 years of deciding to create such a space, we were ready to host the ASHA meet-ups. We held our first meet-up on 1 July 2018 and ever since, it has been a rewarding journey of learning & learning, seeking & receiving, and most especially, connecting with some of the most beautiful souls that we ever came across in life.

The genesis of ASHA Meet-ups could be traced back to an uncanny friendship that was developed between two friends, Annie & Sahil. Coming in contact through other people while holidaying on a desolate beach near Kolkatta, Annie spoke to Sahil first of her experiences of being a survivor of child sexual abuse. They immediately developed a connection but it took Sahil 6 months of their friendship to finally tell Annie that he is a survivor as well.

What happened then was a waterhed moment for their friendship, where they started speaking the invisible language of two fellow survivors, together discerning the patterns and coping mechanisms, and progressing on their individual journeys as survivors. Over the time, they became curious if such a space, that they found in each other, existed for other survivors as well. This curiousity started their pursuit of a mental health space, which was sadly, nowhere to be found. There were clinical, therapy practices, but nothing that would allow survivors to come together and offer peer support. We know, we searched!

Failing to find such a space, we decided to create it ourselves. The decision was followed by immense preparation, upskilling, research, and seeking support from other active mental health meet-ups. Finally, after 5 years of deciding to create such a space, we were ready to host the ASHA meet-ups. We held our first meet-up on 1 July 2018 and ever since, it has been a rewarding journey of learning & learning, seeking & receiving, and most especially, connecting with some of the most beautiful souls that we ever came across in life.

We meet every month on a Sunday. The updates regarding the upcoming meet-up are available on our social media profiles, e-mails to the participants who have filled the meet-up registration forms, and WhatsApp updates, should a participant opt for it.

There is a Google form link for the participants to register. We communicate further details via e-mail, Insta DMs, WhatsApp & Facebook Messenger.

Welcome adults: 18 or Above
The meetups are for adult survivors of child sexual abuse (and their allies). Anyone involved in the meetup, including participants, facilitators, counsellors, therapists, and help seekers, confirms to be 18 years of age or above. Anyone younger wishing to attend the meetup or be part of ASHA, can send us a private message prior to attending.

Be kind ❀ Conversations at the meetup can get emotionally tumultuous. Participants are requested to be kind and compassionate towards each other. Even lending a patient, non-judgmental ear to someone can also be therapeutic.

We’re in this together Many participants at the meetups are survivors, and some are allies too. But their lives have been affected by CSA in some form or the other. To create a safe and inclusive space, everybody in the meetups has to help us create that sense of support and responsibility. And instead of interrogating, advising or providing unsolicited diagnosis, participants are requested to share their own feelings and experiences.

Accepting all shades of the rainbow The core of the meetup is inclusivity. Organisers and participants, including counselling/therapy professionals, are requested to be tolerant of all gender, sexuality, caste, class, religion, and region identities. Any form of discriminatory (transphobic, homophobic, biphobic, casteist, classist, etc) or hateful behaviour will not be acceptable in this space. We also understand that a lot of our communication is in English, and sometimes Hindi, but we are trying our best to find associates to help us with a multilingual outreach. We cannot bar anyone from participating in our events, but if anyone feels uncomfortable in the meetup space about anything or anyone, we urge them to please come and talk to us.

Confidentiality People attending the meetup have the option of participating anonymously or discreetly. By its extension, photography, videography, audio recording, or taking notes is not allowed during the meet-ups, apart from the core team members and assigned volunteers. Team ASHA might click pictures, for documentation or promotional material in the future, but only after having explicit consent from the participants present there. At any point, should you ever want your picture to be removed or deleted or never to be used for any promotional or documentation material, to communicate the same to us? We’re kinda cool that ways.

Consent We, as team ASHA, try not to overstep a participant’s definition of consent. We would refrain from giving advice on seeking help or defining a survivor’s experiences. We are, however, open to exploring options and discussing possibilities, in a manner that respects a person’s autonomy.

Getting in touch with participants If someone wants to take anyone’s name/contact details or get in touch in or outside the meetup space, the best way is to directly ask the person. Do not pass around contact numbers, email ids, etc. without someone’s permission. We urge people to exercise caution while greeting a participant in public, or revealing their personal details/experiences to anyone, for not everyone is ‘out’ about their experiences. We request participants to exercise their own agency as an adult while interacting with each other, in and outside the meetup space.

Assuming responsibility of the bonds we make It is natural for us to bond with people in the meetup, especially when we share such intimate and personal thoughts and emotions. The ASHA team members are not going to monitor or police these bonds between adult participants of the meetup. The team can be approached for any escalation, but an individual must assume their own responsibility while mingling with other participants.