If you find the following post confronting you are not alone. Child sexual abuse is a heinous crime and one thats legacy long outlasts the abuse itself.
There are many alarming statistics on the Internet but the most confronting comes from the Australian Institute of Family Studies paper on The Prevalence of Child Abuse and Neglect (April 2010) which determines that somewhere between 10-16% of males and 20-40% of females are sexually abused before they are 18 years of age.
It's very important to acknowledge that these statistics are somewhat conservative estimates based on reported cases of sexual abuse and its safe to say that there are significantly more cases that remain unreported.
After mounting pressure our Prime Minister has, last night, declared her intent to hold a Royal Commission into child abuse that has occurred in organisations and institutions including sports groups, and most obviously, churches.
The commentary in today's papers highlights the fact that the terms of reference of this RC should be carefully considered especially as "evidence that is uncovered will be inadmissable in subsequent court proceedings." (Chris Merritt, The Australian Newspaper, 13 November, 2012.)
Others analysing the benefits of a RC have suggested that the costs (especially as it will not be restricted to the Catholic Church) will be huge. I'd suggest that the legacies of child sexual abuse - mental illness, drug and substance abuse, homelessness, domestic violence, suicide; and services such as Sexual Assault services, Suicide Prevention Programs, Drug and Alcohol services, Law Enforcement and Court processes, the departments with the responsibility of the welfare of minors and, Medicare funded psychology sessions place a far greater financial and social burden on our society than this RC will.
There are concerns that a RC will turn into a witch hunt especially in organisations such as the Catholic Church.
I'd say that these concerns about a RC may well be justified but I'd suggest that a RC which, most significantly, will get the nation 'talking' about child sexual abuse will be the most important outcome of all. As a friend said recently "silence is the killer which abusers count on."
For some victims justice is not about revenge or the length of jail sentence or the witch hunt of the perpetrator. Victims speak out to be heard. In this process they will be listened to. They'll be told that its not okay. They'll be told it wasn't their fault. Perpetrators will finally have to accept responsibility (even though criminal proceedings won't necessarily follow, they won't be able to hide).
Governments will use the results of a RC to make changes to legislation in the aim of reducing the instances of child sexual abuse including the development of a national curriculum in child protection. 'Stranger Danger' which was once taught in schools is no longer considered the most effective way to educate children about their personal safety. The statistics state that overwhelmingly children are abused by family members or friends or those known to the victim.
The CEO of Child Wise, in her article to the Sydney Morning Herald editorial, states that the "focus must shift to prevention."
Those with experience with victims say this will be a very traumatic process for them. It will be but it's unlikely to be any more traumatic than the abuse that's already taken place or the years of shame and guilt and self-destructive behaviour and silence and secrets from loved ones.
It's fair to say that society has failed to address the lurking problem of child sexual abuse. If we don't talk about it victims feel they can't 'break the silence.' In days gone by child sexual abuse was what happened 'behind the white picket fence.' In some way all members of society have a responsibility when it comes to child sexual abuse.
Are you a parent or guardian? Do you have friends with children or contact with children? Even if you're not a parent or teacher you still have a responsbility for the children in our society. They are our future. The more we discuss this issue the less likely it is that perpetrators will 'get away with it.'
To read more about the Royal Commission you only need to google it.
Here are some informative links and websites regarding child sexual abuse.
National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN)
http://www.napcan.org.au/
NSW Department of Education Child Protection Education
http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/primary/pdhpe/safe/cpe.htm
Australian Institute for Family Studies
http://www.aifs.gov.au/nch/pubs/sheets/rs21/rs21.html
Bravehearts Foundation
http://www.bravehearts.org.au/
Child Wise Resources
http://www.childwise.net/Resources/fact-sheets.html
Australian Institute of Criminology
http://www.aic.gov.au/events/aic%20upcoming%20events/2003/abuse.aspx
Beyond Blue
http://www.beyondblue.org.au/index.aspx?link_id=6.95
There are many alarming statistics on the Internet but the most confronting comes from the Australian Institute of Family Studies paper on The Prevalence of Child Abuse and Neglect (April 2010) which determines that somewhere between 10-16% of males and 20-40% of females are sexually abused before they are 18 years of age.
It's very important to acknowledge that these statistics are somewhat conservative estimates based on reported cases of sexual abuse and its safe to say that there are significantly more cases that remain unreported.
After mounting pressure our Prime Minister has, last night, declared her intent to hold a Royal Commission into child abuse that has occurred in organisations and institutions including sports groups, and most obviously, churches.
The commentary in today's papers highlights the fact that the terms of reference of this RC should be carefully considered especially as "evidence that is uncovered will be inadmissable in subsequent court proceedings." (Chris Merritt, The Australian Newspaper, 13 November, 2012.)
Others analysing the benefits of a RC have suggested that the costs (especially as it will not be restricted to the Catholic Church) will be huge. I'd suggest that the legacies of child sexual abuse - mental illness, drug and substance abuse, homelessness, domestic violence, suicide; and services such as Sexual Assault services, Suicide Prevention Programs, Drug and Alcohol services, Law Enforcement and Court processes, the departments with the responsibility of the welfare of minors and, Medicare funded psychology sessions place a far greater financial and social burden on our society than this RC will.
There are concerns that a RC will turn into a witch hunt especially in organisations such as the Catholic Church.
I'd say that these concerns about a RC may well be justified but I'd suggest that a RC which, most significantly, will get the nation 'talking' about child sexual abuse will be the most important outcome of all. As a friend said recently "silence is the killer which abusers count on."
For some victims justice is not about revenge or the length of jail sentence or the witch hunt of the perpetrator. Victims speak out to be heard. In this process they will be listened to. They'll be told that its not okay. They'll be told it wasn't their fault. Perpetrators will finally have to accept responsibility (even though criminal proceedings won't necessarily follow, they won't be able to hide).
Governments will use the results of a RC to make changes to legislation in the aim of reducing the instances of child sexual abuse including the development of a national curriculum in child protection. 'Stranger Danger' which was once taught in schools is no longer considered the most effective way to educate children about their personal safety. The statistics state that overwhelmingly children are abused by family members or friends or those known to the victim.
The CEO of Child Wise, in her article to the Sydney Morning Herald editorial, states that the "focus must shift to prevention."
Those with experience with victims say this will be a very traumatic process for them. It will be but it's unlikely to be any more traumatic than the abuse that's already taken place or the years of shame and guilt and self-destructive behaviour and silence and secrets from loved ones.
It's fair to say that society has failed to address the lurking problem of child sexual abuse. If we don't talk about it victims feel they can't 'break the silence.' In days gone by child sexual abuse was what happened 'behind the white picket fence.' In some way all members of society have a responsibility when it comes to child sexual abuse.
Are you a parent or guardian? Do you have friends with children or contact with children? Even if you're not a parent or teacher you still have a responsbility for the children in our society. They are our future. The more we discuss this issue the less likely it is that perpetrators will 'get away with it.'
To read more about the Royal Commission you only need to google it.
Here are some informative links and websites regarding child sexual abuse.
National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN)
http://www.napcan.org.au/
NSW Department of Education Child Protection Education
http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/primary/pdhpe/safe/cpe.htm
Australian Institute for Family Studies
http://www.aifs.gov.au/nch/pubs/sheets/rs21/rs21.html
Bravehearts Foundation
http://www.bravehearts.org.au/
Child Wise Resources
http://www.childwise.net/Resources/fact-sheets.html
Australian Institute of Criminology
http://www.aic.gov.au/events/aic%20upcoming%20events/2003/abuse.aspx
Beyond Blue
http://www.beyondblue.org.au/index.aspx?link_id=6.95
