Courage2Heal, a sexual assault survivors’ group started by Bradford natives, will be holding a support meeting Oct. 9 at Bradford Area Public Library.

While organizers Jim VanSickle and Ed Rodgers are survivors of clergy abuse, the meeting is open to all abuse survivors and their families.

“Jim and I are going to introduce ourselves, tell our stories and then anybody can tell their stories or ask questions,” Rodgers said. “It’s an open forum for discussion about everything.

“We don’t want anybody to feel uncomfortable. They will be able to talk, survivor to survivor. If they are shy or scared, or just don’t want to talk, they can just listen,” Rodgers said. “There’s no judgment. There is nothing off limits.”

The meeting is intended to be a place where survivors can share their stories with others who understand, and be secure in the knowledge that their stories will be confidential. Secondary survivors — spouses or children of abuse victims — are welcome to come as well.

No media will be present, and the organizers are asking all participants to keep what they see and hear in confidence. The meeting will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

VanSickle, who is the head of Courage2Heal, added, “I would like to announce a peer support group in Bradford for all survivors. I have met with Bishop (Lawrence) Persico (head of the Erie Diocese) about our groups, and plans to help find healing for survivors.

“Pittsburgh Diocese and I have had the same discussions,” he continued. “The Pittsburgh Diocese has referred several survivors to our peer support groups.”

The groups are about helping each other heal from the trauma they’ve experienced through assault.