Peer support is when people with a shared lived experience or identity come together in the form of supportive relationships. Peer support groups seek to create a safe, intentional space where experiences can be explored and shared. Peer support is about mutuality, honesty and authenticity. Peer support groups are powerful because they can reduce feelings of shame and isolation and can help people find a sense of empowerment through community.

We begin with a simple meditation to get back into our bodies and to open the space. We check in with each other, let each other know how we're feeling and what we need today. The facilitators introduce the topic for the week, and then we dive into the discussion. We finish with another check in and reflection, followed by a meditation. Sessions run for 1.5 hours on a fortnightly basis.

• Support networks

• Abortion in art

• Conception partners

• Conceptualising the foetus

• Experience with service providers

• Relationship with body

• Relationship with self

• Collaging

• Abortion in music

We create a safe space by actively involving members of the group in defining what safety means to them. This means that safety is not solely defined by us, but by the members of the group themselves. By working with the group members to define what safety means to them, we can create an environment that meets the specific needs and concerns of the individuals in the group. Safety is defined in our House Rules, a live document that can be amended or added to as needed.

Members have provided feedback that coming to TAP has made them feel:

• Less alone
• Like my anger and frustration at my experience was justified
• In awe of people's strength and all our collective strength
• Fuelled/inspired to create change
• Very safe to share and quite moved by what other people share
• Empowered
• Welcomed
• Broken down and built back up
• Heard
• Understood

The Abortion Project aims to create a peer network of support groups throughout Australia. The facilitators would have access to TAP’s governance structure, donations, professional supervision and guidance. Please email us with a bit about yourself, where you want to start the peer support group and we will get back to you.

The Abortion Project runs off the dedicated time and energy of a small group of volunteers. We accept once-off and membership-style donations. We highly recommend membership-style donations, as it means we spend less time fundraising, and more time creating meaningful, grassroots abortion support. We are incredibly grateful to all our supporters.

Your donations go to costs such as room hire, insurance, registering and licensing, snacks, stationary and other equipment, event costs, printing, website maintenance, organisational growth and any community development initiatives. We are currently not a gift deductible recipient.

We are a not-for-profit organisation. We currently have a committee of 6 members with varying skills and expertise. We have volunteers in different states and territories. We currently do not receive any on-going funding from Australian federal, state or local governments. We are currently not registered as a charity or as a gift deductible recipient, due to governance constraints. This is something we are working on for the future.

The Abortion Project is always looking for ways to connect with people who are passionate about pro-abortion support and justice in Australia. We are especially happy to hear from people who have expertise in grant writing, governance, social media, law and sponsorships/philanthropy.

Please contact us with a bit about yourself- including your experience, how much time you have per week (realistically) and how you would like to get involved.

Many aspects of our site can be viewed without providing personal information. When using some functions, such as conducting a transaction or registering your interest in an event, we may ask you to provide us with certain personally identifiable information that can be used to contact you. Personally identifiable information may include, but is not limited to your full name, email address, and phone number ("personal information").

Communications

Your personal information may be used to contact you to provide personalised service-related messages, such as information, reminders, and evaluation material for events for which you have registered. We may also provide you the option to opt in to receive newsletters, marketing, or promotional material from us. You may opt out of newsletters, marketing, or promotional material at any time, however, we may still send you non-promotional communications.

Security

Our website is hosted on the square-space.com platform. Your data may be stored through squarespace’s data storage, databases and the general Squarespace applications. Please see Squarespace’s privacy policy here. We also use Google Forms to collect personal information regarding peer support group sign ups. You can find Google's privacy policy here.

The security of your personal information is important to us, but remember that no method of transmission over the internet, or method of electronic storage, is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your personal information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

Changes To This Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy is effective as of 1st March, 2023, and will remain in effect except with respect to any changes in its provisions in the future, which will be in effect immediately after being posted on this page.

We reserve the right to update or change our Privacy Policy at any time and you should check this Privacy Policy periodically. Your continued use of the Service after we post any modifications to the Privacy Policy on this page will constitute your acknowledgment of the modifications and your consent to abide and be bound by the modified Privacy Policy.

If we make any material changes to this Privacy Policy, we will notify you either through the email address you have provided us, or by placing a prominent notice on our website.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at hello@theabortionproject.com.au