Questions
Everything people ask us, answered straight.
If your question isn't here, email us — we'd much rather answer it than have you decide against something that might help.
01
Joining a series
The questions people email us before they fill anything in.
Do I have to say what happened to me?
No. Not on the interest form, not in the room, not to a facilitator, not ever. No disclosure of past trauma is needed to join — that is the founding principle of the whole program, not a courtesy we extend.
What if I'm not sure it 'counts'?
Then it counts. TNJS is for survivors of sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, and stalking — but we don't ask you to name, categorise, or prove anything. If you're carrying something and this sounds like it might help, you're eligible.
Is it really free?
Yes. All programs and materials are provided at no cost to participants. That includes the seven weeks of sessions, the instructors, the art journals, the yoga mats — everything.
How much time does it take?
One weeknight evening a week for seven weeks, in person, within walking distance of your campus. It runs each academic quarter, so if this quarter is impossible, the next one is there.
What actually happens in a session?
A short check-in, then one modality led by a clinician or community instructor — yoga, art, sound healing, journaling, boundary work, and similar. Student co-facilitators are in the room throughout.
Am I signing up if I fill in the interest form?
No. The form opens a conversation. Someone from your campus emails you the details and answers your questions, and you decide from there. You can also stop replying at any point without explaining why.
Can I bring a friend?
Ask your campus program manager — they'll tell you honestly what works for that particular group. Their email is on your campus page.
What if I need to stop halfway through?
You leave. Nobody will chase you or ask you to justify it, and you'd be welcome back in a future series.
02
Privacy & safety
How the room is protected — and what we are not.
Who else will be there?
Other students from your campus, student co-facilitators, and the instructor for that week. Undergraduate and graduate students meet in separate groups.
What if I recognise someone?
Everyone agrees to standards of group confidentiality before the series begins. It binds every person in the room, including you, and it's taken seriously.
Where and when does it meet?
Weeknight evenings near campus. The specific time and location are shared privately with registered participants and are deliberately not posted publicly.
Does joining trigger a report to my university?
No. TNJS is a healing program, not an investigative or reporting body. Joining does not start any process you didn't ask for. If you do want to explore reporting, your campus confidential advocate is the right person — we can point you there.
Is this therapy? Is it a substitute for it?
It isn't therapy and it doesn't replace it. It's the part that lives outside a therapist's office — practical, embodied, in community. Plenty of participants do both.
Someone might see my browsing history.
Use the Quick exit button in the header of any page here, browse in a private window, and clear your history afterwards. There's a fuller guide on our Get help now page.
03
Volunteering & giving
For everyone who wants to be on the other side of the table.
Do I need experience to volunteer?
No. Full trauma-informed training is provided before you facilitate anything. What you need is care and reliability.
Do I have to be a survivor to volunteer?
No, and you'll never be asked. Many volunteers are survivors, many aren't. If you are early in your own healing, consider joining a series first — that's care, not rejection.
Which campuses have open roles?
UCSB, SDSU, SFSU and SBCC. Roles open each quarter: Program Co-Facilitator, Program Assistant, and Marketing Officer.
Where does my donation actually go?
Directly into program delivery — instructors, materials, and space. $250 covers every material one survivor needs for a full seven-week series. We're a 501(c)(3), EIN 85-0827076, and gifts are tax-deductible.
Can my employer match a gift?
Very often, yes. Ask your HR team about their matching program and give them our EIN. It's the simplest way to double what you give.
My campus doesn't have TNJS. Can we start one?
Students are the reason it exists at three campuses. Get in touch and we'll tell you honestly what it would take at yours.
Still wondering something?
A real person reads these. There is no such thing as a question too small to send.