For most of my adult life I have been active in the community
and lobbled politicians for :
- better roads and trains
- a new High School buildings at North Lake
- the new Station Rd bridge over the western rail line in Auburn
- and more
Current Concerns:
The high cost of electricity is a heavy burden on families.
decreasing disponable income resulting in a decline in retail sales
which I feel high rent / housing unaffordability are contributing factors.
There is a need to upgrage inter urban transport to access cheap land outside the Sydney basin.
I indicated to Family First that it is my desire to particularly campaign for more services for adult survivors of child sexual abuse. In particular services for male survivors. I understand the disapointments experienced by male survivors as I am a survivor of extreme sexual abuse
during my early childhood. I am part of the estimated 1 in 6
men who were sexually abused before the age of 16.
Bearing in mind that research
( and more research is needed) suggests that unresolved
sexual abuse during childhood is a major causal factor of
depression, addictions and personal issues
since I began my recovery in 1999
I asked two questions:
1. Where are the twelve steps of recovery?
there were none.
As a Local Pastor at Homebush Bay I prayerfully developed a basic recovery programme.
2. Why are there not more resources being put into recovery from Child Sexual Abuse?
The community rightly demands adequate Child Protection Policies and Procedures
and O H and S rightly requires a working environment free from sexual harassment or sexual abuse.
I regularly make submissions to strengthen both.
But where are the services for survivors in Sydney?
The major hospitals in Sydney have sexual assult counsellors at home on call overnight for emergencies,
deemed to be emergencies by Triange.
But what of the needs of thousands of survivors who need to talk during the night? Sexual assult is not a matter for Lifeline or MensLine - its a specialised field of councelling.
NSW needs a Call Centre manned by trained male and female sexual assult counsellors 24 / 7
on a 1800 number.
where survivors have a choice of male or female counsellors.
I have broken the shame and pain of the sexual abuse I was subjected to in my early childhood. It's taken me an enormous effort but I believe by standing up for survivors,
especially male survivors I can make it easier for other male survivors and to help increase the awareness in the community that boys do get sexually abused
and it's impact is real and serious
and that it needs to be acknowledged and worked through.
Recovery is possable.
male survivors are welcome to email me
gg@grahamguy.com
