OUR FILM

Sexual abuse has wrecked the lives of millions of people around the world. In the struggle to recover from it, survivors battle daily with its effects. Humble Hope helps us to understand the guilt, shame and blame experienced by victims. It follows the journey with survivors, the abuse they received, their suffering, their healing and their willingness to forgive, which has given them true freedom from the past and hope for their future.

AWARDS

Humble Hope is honoured to have won the following international awards

Learn More

IN AUSTRALIA

1 in 4
1 in 6

are sexually abused before the age of 161

Which equates conservatively to around

0 Australians

I started cutting my wrists because the pain was so much that I wanted to feel physical pain to stop the emotional pain.

-Rachael

I was stuck at home, I was very tearful, I was very suicidal; I was scared… of everything… of life.

-Deb

I’d like to meet every other victim I can and hug them and tell them Jesus loves them.

-Mark

TAKE ACTION

Because of sexual abuse, children are shedding tears in secret.

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.

Nelson Mandela

We must educate Australia about this issue.

We all have a voice and that voice is very powerful. Share your voice with your friends, family, church leaders and political leaders to help bring awareness to childhood sexual abuse. Together, we can share our voices and help turn sad tears into happy tears by taking action on childhood sexual abuse.

Survivor’s Stories
Our Voice

Victims in Australia have shed tears because of sexual abuse from:2

A father or stepfather

7%
15%

A male relative (not father or stepfather)

16%
35%

A family friend

16%
16%

An acquaintance or neighbour

16%
15%

Someone known to them

27%
11%

A stranger

18%
8%
  • Men
  • Women

Victims suffer severe consequences because of their abuse including:3

  • Fear

  • Anxiety

  • Shame

  • Inappropriate sexual behaviour or risk taking

  • Self-blame or hatred

  • Self- harming including substance abuse, eating disorders and suicide

  • Subconscious attraction to and re-victimisation by abusive partners

Physical effects which may result from abuse include:4

  • Severe headaches

  • PTSD (Post traumatic stress disorder)

  • Constant stomach pain

  • Insomnia

  • Unintended or aborted pregnancies

Child abuse costs the Australian community between $10 billion and $30 billion each year.5

Under-reporting is quite common in sexual abuse cases. Reasons victims might not report it include:6

  • Not a ‘real’ crime

  • Not clear that harm was intended

  • Shame, embarrassment

  • Did not want family or others to know

  • Fear of reprisal by assailant

  • Self-blame or blamed by others for the attack

  • Desire to protect offender, relationship, or children

Australia we need to wake up to this issue and provide support and hope for those who are shedding tears in secret.

Citations

1 “A Global Perspective on Child Sexual Abuse: Meta-Analysis of …” 2016. 15 Jun. 2016 <https://www.researchgate.net/publication/51068956_A_Global_Perspective_on_Child_Sexual_Abuse_Meta-Analysis_of_Prevalence_Around_the_World>

“Improving policy and practice responses for men sexually abused in …” 2015. 15 Jun. 2016 <https://aifs.gov.au/publications/improving-policy-and-practice-responses-men-sexually-abused-childhood

“Population clock – Australian Bureau of Statistics.” 2003. 15 Jun. 2016 <http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/1647509ef7e25faaca2568a900154b63?OpenDocument>

2 “Personal Safety, Australia, 2005 (Reissue) – Australian Bureau of …” 2006. 15 Jun. 2016 <http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/DetailsPage/4906.02005%20(Reissue)?OpenDocument>

3 “Position Paper – Bravehearts.” 2015. 15 Jun. 2016 <http://www.bravehearts.org.au/files/pdf/Research%20and%20Position%20Papers/Facts-and-Stats_030615.pdf>

4 “The long-term effects of child sexual abuse | Child Family Community …” 2015. 15 Jun. 2016 <https://aifs.gov.au/cfca/publications/long-term-effects-child-sexual-abuse>

5 “The Cost of Child Abuse in Australia – Australian Childhood Foundation.” 2013. 15 Jun. 2016 <http://www.childhood.org.au/~/media/Files/Research/Research%20Cost%20of%20Child%20Abuse%20in%20Australia%202009.ashx>

6 “Online Peer Support For Survivors of Sexual Assault – South Eastern …” 2012. 15 Jun. 2016 <http://www.secasa.com.au/assets/Documents/online-peer-support-for-survivors-of-sexual-assault.pdf>