Govt ensures 850 sex abuse victims left in the cold
Govt ensures 850 sex abuse victims left in the cold
It is a bitter shame that the only agency that is solely dedicated to helping male victims of sexual abuse is struggling to keep its doors open due to lack of funding, said United Future social services spokesperson Judy Turner today.
“The Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse Trust were preparing to close today because of a lack of funding. They have been given a stay of execution by an emergency community grant, but it is a disgrace that this service is placed under undue stress to simply continue with the good work and much needed assistance that it provides.”
The trust is based in Christchurch and helps 850 clients a year - many of its clients were students at the former St John of God School.
Manager Ken Clearwater stresses that “with this big case coming up where two Brothers have been extradited from Australia to face sexual abuse allegations, these victims/survivors will need our support. I believe it would be tragic if we are not there for them and the other men we work with.”
“It is just saddening that the Government will not provide adequate funding this not leaving them to fend on their own,” says Mrs Turner.
“Sexual abuse can and has ruined people’s lives. Where it happened at an institutional level there is an even greater need for the State and community to support the survivors through counselling and support organisations like this.
The Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse Trust believes they are not receiving funding because the abuse happened to boys.
“No-one wants to look at this. The Government is failing to provide necessary support for male victims of sexual abuse - it is simply not fair. The Government should cough up the measly $120k needed to keep the Trust going every year so that the 850 men can get the support they deserve,” says Mrs Turner.
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Unreal UF,
If these were women, it would be all over the TV and Net news.
Mens interests get paid lip service these days and this is wrong.
$120k, is chicken feed compared to the millions that is pumped into Wimmins Affairs, Wimmins Refuge, etc.
Just another bit of proof that men are only there to pay wimmins taxes and Man Tax!
No wonder men are leaving here in droves.
I’d be right behind them if I didn’t have a mortgage.
Comment by Mike — Fri 29th June 2007 @ 5:54 pm
10 years this trust has been going for and it is the only male voice for policy as sexual abuse now has a National Centre.
How very sad. They were hoping to expand to other areas than just men being sexually assaulted as children by men.
Thank-you so much for this article UF.
Comment by julie — Fri 29th June 2007 @ 6:19 pm
Hi UF,
You are probablby aware that we are holding a meeting for the public and charity groups in Waitakere this month and we have got only the best speakers (how exciting) lol but we are wondering if you might know of someone who would speak for us around boys and education.
Comment by julie — Thu 5th July 2007 @ 9:45 am