samsn's STRONGER

This “special edition” episode of STRONGER features some of the people integral to SAMSN’s impactful work. Our host, SAMSN’s CEO Craig Hughes Cashmore  chats with Professor Patrick O’Leary and Doctor Gary Foster, both of whom are part of SAMSN’s Practice Advisory Committee. Following SAMSN’s high-impact roundtable in Canberra, our two expert advisors have some powerful insights to share with you....

The National Redress Scheme was established after the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sex Abuse recommended setting up a less traumatic, non-adversarial alternative to seeking compensation through the courts. Redress consists of three things: a monetary payment, access to counselling, and an opportunity to receive an apology from the institution, called a Direct Personal Res...

Male survivors often try to forget or bury their experiences of abuse and use a range of strategies to block out the memories and feelings. These can look like drug and alcohol use, gambling, workaholism, and sex addictions… but frequently, they don't make the link between what happened to them as children or young guys, and their current ways of managing their life. The tactics that abusers use m...

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (2013 - 2017) was established by the Commonwealth government to inquire into and report on responses by institutions (such as churches, schools, sporting groups and out-of-home care) to instances and allegations of child sexual abuse in Australia.  To be abused by someone who has authority over you causes unique impacts for me...

Child sexual abuse is a crime. What does criminal justice and punishment look like in the legal system? What is it like for survivors - or in this context, “victims” - to pursue criminal justice for sexual crimes against them? The second instalment of our two-part Justice episode shares direct personal experiences from two survivors: Adam and Jarad, with some insights from Professor Patrick O’Lear...

Child sexual abuse is a crime. What does criminal justice and punishment look like in the legal system? What is it like for survivors - or in this context, “victims” - to pursue criminal justice for the sexual crimes perpetrated against them? The findings of the Royal Commission’s public hearing into the Criminal Justice System revealed confronting and problematic issues for survivors in accessing...

When someone trusts you with the knowledge of their abuse, how you react can have profound consequences and implications for their recovery. What are some helpful ways to respond to a disclosure? A survivor's recovery journey can be greatly assisted by the care they receive from family, friends and other supporters… but this can be challenging at times for those close to a survivor. It’s important...

The gender myths surrounding masculinity are often an obstacle to recovery for male survivors of child sexual abuse. Our society presents us with repetitive reinforcements of how men are supposed to look and act, especially with regard to emotional range and sexual intimacy. Those who don't fit the prevailing stereotypes for 'white male privilege' often face additional challenges. Men from First N...

On average, it takes 25.7 years for males to disclose their experience of childhood sexual abuse.  Why? Evidence shows that males are less likely than females to tell someone what happened and seek help. They often try to block the feelings (like fear and shame) resulting from the abuse, and cope  by isolating themselves from others, or self-medicating with drugs and alcohol. Very few have ever me...