What are recommendations for hosting support groups remotely?
Safety Net is developing on more specific guidance on virtual groups, however the general Best Practices for Digital Services content, as well as the Video Best Practices guide are helpful starters. For more specifics, email safetynet@nnedv.org.
Hosting virtual support groups is possible and may actually allow more people to participate than in-person groups. There is a balance between using platforms that may be deemed safer for survivors (see https://www.techsafety.org/ for recommendations) and those that are accessible (both in terms of ease of use, readily available to survivors, and have ADA-types of access). Screened-in groups are more essential for online groups (vs. drop in) to better ensure that survivors are appropriate for the group (and to weed out those who may be abusers or those who may benefit from other services). Online groups can operate very much like in-person groups. Creating group guidelines may be more essential, since many people may not be aware of some “protocols” of engaging online — so some guidelines may include basic online courtesy, as well as things like confidentiality, and I statements, etc.