Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse TrustSSPA Conference September 2012

“Improving Outcomes for Children & Whanau”

• 904 ColomboStreet. Our New Temporary Place• PO Box 22-363• Christchurch 81420• Phone: +64 (03) 377 6747, 027 353 3854• mssat@survivor.org.nz • http://www.survivor.org.nz

Introduction• MSSAT, History.• My personal views on THE GREEN PAPER.• What we do and why, where we want to go• Case studies with our guys.• TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF.• My experience's of working with male

survivors, advocate and support.• SYSTEMS………………..• Questions. Available after.

Can of Worms Scotland

Scotland, A survivor of sexual

abuse• My mother said

• “you shouldn’t live in the past”

• “I don’t, the past lives in me”

Mike Lew, M.Ed.

“Victims No Longer” 1988

Belief

“that a logical perspective on male survivor issues is the feminist view of sexual child

abuse: seeing it in terms of differential power in a patriarchal system that views

children as property

How many boys are sexually abused? New

York 2010•Australia 1 in 6 boys

•USA 1 in 6 boys

•Canada 1 in 4 boys• New Zealand 1 in 8 boys

University of Otago, 2012

• Dr Tess Patterson• Clinical Psychologist, PhD• Department of Psychological

Medicine.

• “Risk, resiliency and treatment factors in childhood sexual abuse”.

Ian Bennett Founder MSSAT, 1961-2002•Support Group 1991•Monthly Meetings•Registered Charitable Trust 1997•10th Anniversary 2007 International Speakers Dr Werner Tschan, Mike Lew & Steve Bevan

MSSAT NEW ZEALAND• CHRISTCHURCHKen Clearwater• AUCKLAND David Passell• WAIKATO Mike

Holloway• Whangrei David Passell *• Wellington Richard Brewer *• Dunedin David Knox *• Timaru Colin Elliott *• Nelson, Blenheim In Progress *

TaskForce for Action on Sexual Violence 2007-09

• TOAH-NNEST (Te Ohaaki a Hine -National Network Ending Sexual Violence Together)

• STOCK TAKE ON SEXUAL ABUSE SERVICES• Report to Government from Taskforce…….. Page 88• STRUGGLE TO PROVIDE SPECIALIST SERVICES• Throughout the history of this sector, at least until the

1990’s when a small percentage of males became involved in this work………………….

• SPECIALIST SUPPORT FOR MALE SURVIVORS• As the sexual abuse of males began to be acknowledged in

the 1990’s, the only specialist male survivor support agency MSSAT that has continued until today began in Christchurch.

MSSAT• MISSION STATEMENT

To support male survivors recovering from sexual abuse.

VISIONFor male survivors to empower their own lives

through education, counselling and support groups.

VALUESThe needs of the survivor are paramount.

We are committed to providing high quality and confidential service to our clients.

Who are our survivors?• White Power, Black Power, Mongrel Mob,

Teachers, Police, Prison Guards, Prisoners, Lawyers, Bikies, Social Workers, Trans-Gender, Counsellors, Brickies, Truckies, Streeties, Doctors, Nurses, Psychiatrists, Butchers, Bakers, Candlestick Makers.

• African-Americans, Jews, Muslims, Australian Aborigines, North American and Canadian Indians,

What do we offer?• One on one peer support• Peer Support Group, AWESOME• Access to ACC approved Counsellors• Parent Support Group• Community Support Worker (Prison)• Information• Life skills and Weekend Retreats

ACC Assessors (Switzerland)

• The various reports you have sent me document a systematic problem: the general lack of understanding the impact of sexual abuse on later life functioning, psychiatric symptoms and impairment in social functioning.

• ………a result that is clearly in the interest of these agencies (ACC)………

ACC continued (UK)• I understand your frustration with

psychiatrists after reading these reports. On a professional level I felt depressed and on a personal level angry at the ignorance.

• The use of the current diagnostic system is not appropriate as it is not up to date with the latest knowledge about the impact of trauma.

Conferences and workshops re male victims of childhood sexual abuse2003 Minneapolis USA2004 Kettlewell, England Galway, Ireland2005 Vancouver , Canada2006 Urchfont, England2007 Perth, Australia New York City, USA2009 Melbourne, Aussie2010 New York City, USA Belfast, Ireland2011 Sherwood Forest UK Wales Norway2012 New York

Clergy Abuse• John Jay College of Criminal Justice New York City 2007.

• 80% of victims of clergy abuse are MALES………….

Prison Statistics• The SAVI Report cites findings from

informal research conducted with prison and probation officers working with male offenders (non-sexual offences) which suggests that up to 60% of prisoners have experienced sexual violence or sexual abuse at some point in their lives.

Prison Inmates

• Another Australian study of 27 correctional centres in NSW found that 65 per cent of male and female prisoners were victims of child sexual and physical assault. (Senate Committee Report, Australia 2004 p.168).

DSAC (Doctors for Sexual Abuse Care)

• Conference held Auckland in 1997

• New Zealand’s Untold Story: Male Victims of Childhood Sexual Abuse

Professional Training (DSAC 1997)

• Training should be provided for staff in:• Mental health settings• Sexual health clinics• Drug and alcohol services• Department of Corrections

Concerning the identification and treatment of male sexual abuse

DSAC (1997)

• 62% of males in psychiatric care were sexually abused as children

• Only 4% had disclosed abuse before being asked.

90% of male children (DSAC 1997)

who attempt suicide by the age of 14 have a history of

Sexual Abuse

St John of God 19 June 2002

Senate Inquiry Australia August 2004

Male violence?• The men especially have largely

been unable to address the issues relating to their anger and this is often displayed in their relationships. Hence a high incidence of domestic violence. 153

• ..but when you think about it dad was brought up in a home to and terrible things must have happened to him for the things that he did to us. 152

Tamworth Boys Homes Australia

• “Killers linked to notorious boy’s home.”

• The northern New South Wales institution for boys has been linked to more than 35 violent deaths across Australia.

Degrading torture• Keith Kelly, 67, was 16 when he

was transferred to Tamworth in 1961. “When you got to Tamworth you were beaten as soon as you got in the door. You were starved, you were tortured and it was degrading.”

Former Inmates• ..include James Finch, jailed for life

for the murders of 15 people…• Kevin Grump, jailed for life over the

murder of Ian Lamb….• Alleged Sydney crime lord George

Freeman also attended Tamworth which he described as the “ultimate finishing school for crims.”

Male survivor in care• In the ‘outside world’ I found myself

completely at a loss.• After that it was institutions right

through my life, including three jail sentences before I had reached 21.. Even being in Pentridge at the age of seventeen was bad but no where as bad as Bayswater….. Page 164

Lack of treatment• I have now tried to come to

terms with my life and still have trouble doing so. I constantly end up having instances where I suffer from flashbacks. I just can’t get any real treatment in prison…. Page 164

Green Paper• My personal view. Hope I’m

wrong.• Is this about our children or is

it political?• Wanting to hear from the

sector.• Alcohol reform

Bill !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

An apology!• The Committee was repeatedly told

that for many care leavers an acknowledgement of past wrongs would facilitate a degree of emotional and psychological healing and confirm that their experiences in care are at last ‘believed’ and recognised.

• Page 171

Paula Bennett MP• Letter received 16 March

2009• I am not sure how an inquiry

into institutional care of children in New Zealand’s past might help those who have been past victims.

1967 Bishopdale Shopping Centre

The Press (30th July 1965 pp8)

What do we need? Bob Belfour

• We need to acknowledge the needs of the male victim/survivors.

• Recognise the needs of specialist male services as male victim/survivors experience different issues to females.

• Identify gaps in service provision and research via independent evaluation.

Continued• Reinforce current best practice in

meeting male victim/survivor needs in both current and future service provision.

• Involve male victim/survivors directly in the development of the above.

• Acknowledge their human rights to shape the services which meet their recovery resolution objectives

THANK YOU• THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND

HOPEFULLY YOU CAN LEAVE WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT REGARDLESS OF GENDER WHEN YOU ARE SEXUALLY ABUSED IN CHILDHOOD IT IS HORRIFIC. A MALE SURVIVOR FEELS THE PAIN, SHAME AND GUILT JUST AS A FEMALE AND ALL NEED THE RIGHT SUPPORT AND COMPASSION.