Unsilenced Support Group

This is not the forum to advocate for VCUG testing. If you wish to defend the VCUG test, you may do so anywhere else online. While we acknowledge and understand the diagnostic value of VCUGs, Unsilenced is currently is the only safe space on the internet that respects and honors the VCUG patient experience. We will make every effort to keep it that way.

Unsilenced Support Group is not a substitute for professional mental health services. We simply aim to create a safe and private space for former VCUG patients to share, heal, and connect in a face-to-face setting. Our meetings are hosted by founder/director Shelby Smith, a former VCUG patient who is not a licensed mental health counselor. We encourage survivors to seek professional care as needed to prioritize their health and well-being. Please explore our Crisis Resources for more information.

Please be respectful of other participants' privacy. While we cannot guarantee legally effective confidentiality, we take every measure to ensure the safety of our group. Any violations may result in dismissal.

To ensure all group members have a chance to share, please be a respectful conversationalist by being mindful of how long you're speaking for. While interruptions are inevitable in the remote setting (it happens to all of us), please remember to return the conversation to the original speaker if this occurs. Thank you for your cooperation and respect!

SUPPORT GROUP:

When it comes to VCUG trauma, triggering language is inevitable during the healing process. However, we ask that participants refrain from using overly graphic language. On a 1-10 trigger scale (with 10 being the most triggering), we aim to keep conversations around a 3 or 4 during support groups. Thank you for respecting fellow participants!

ONLINE FORUMS: We kindly ask participants to respect the sensitivity of each others' experiences by providing clear, specific trigger warnings for potentially graphic content (example: "TW: Sexual Assault" or "TW: Sexual Trauma"). This empowers each survivor to decide for themselves whether they are in an appropriate headspace to engage with potentially triggering content.

There is no "one-size-fits-all" when it comes to healing from VCUG trauma. This is not the place to critique or belittle how any individual chooses to heal. If our Support Group or online resources are not helpful to you, we encourage you to explore alternative avenues to find what works best for you.

Judging or belittling other participants, including how the Unsilenced Movement facilitates or moderates our free forums, will not be tolerated. We are all here to learn and heal, and our organization always strives to act in the best interests of our collective members.

We don't support messaging that places personal responsibility on other individuals for your healing. Every member has the right to express themselves safely without being held personally accountable for your recovery.

Remember, the only person responsible for your healing and safety is you. Please demonstrate mutual respect for others' boundaries and personal experiences.

Unsilenced has a zero-tolerance policy for bigotry, discrimination, and harassment. Discriminatory language or actions against others based on sex, age, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, political affiliation, and other protected characteristics will NOT be tolerated in any circumstances. Please be respectful.