EVERY Thursday, Ally spends her evening in a closed room listening to the deepest darkest traumas of other women, The women tell her the horrific ordeals they have endured from emotional, mental and physical abuse to sexual assault and rape.

Ally and the other women who run Breaking Free have all had years of experience as trained counsellors and been through their own traumas too.

When Ally read the story of Katy Palmer, who was raped by “monster” Kristopher Searle, in the Advertiser last month, she felt compelled to help.

Desperate Katy was appealing for help from other victims to share her experiences with.

Ally believes Breaking Free could provide that support.

She said: “After reading your article on the very brave Katy Palmer saying she needs some after care and support, I thought ‘well we are offering just that’.

“The group aims to offer support to females over the age of 18 who have experienced any or all forms of trauma due to emotional, mental, physical, sexual abuse and rape from childhood to now.

“The project aims to focus on healing these traumas through group therapy, group discussion, one to one therapy, family and relationship concerns that focus on their individual needs to allow them to move forward from their traumas.

“We aim to protect, show trust and respect and keep the group safe and encourage the individual to grow, thrive and eventually break free from the abuse and trauma.

“They also cover family and relationship concerns and provide general information on other like- minded projects and courses and benefits.

“The therapy offered is undertaken in a safe and confidential environment.

“In the group discussion you can share experiences with like- minded females and, in turn, receive support and the freedom to release traumatic experiences. By releasing these traumas you can move forward and eventually break free.”

l Are you a woman, or know a woman, looking for this support or would you like to help as a trusted volunteer? Call Ally via the phone helpline 07547 680839, visit www.breaking3female supportgroup.co.uk or email breaking3@googlemail.com.

Discussion groups are held on Thursday evenings between 7pm and 9pm.

The group is also looking for funding, donations can be made via the website.

KATY Palmer bravely waived her right to anonymity in order to tell Adver readers about her harrowing experience at the hands of rapist Kristopher Searle.

At the time of her ordeal, Katy was a heroin and crack addict, working as a prostitute on Swindon’s Manchester Road.

Searle, a regular customer, picked her up on the evening of April 9, 2007, drove her to a secluded spot in Badbury where he beat her up and raped her.

He then held her hostage overnight at his home in Deerhurst Way, Toothill, raping and humiliating her.

“He’s always there in my head,” she told the Adver in February.

“I wake up covered in sweat. As soon as I come round the first thing I see is his face.

“I find it very hard going out by myself. If I do, I have to have something with me to defend myself.

“I carry a little blade. It’s too small to be arrested for, but it is the only thing that makes me feel safe.

“It is scary as hell, but it is something you have got to deal with.”