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
IN AUSTRALIA
are sexually abused before the age of 161
Which equates conservatively to around
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.
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.
Victims in Australia have shed tears because of sexual abuse from:2
A father or stepfather
A male relative (not father or stepfather)
A family friend
An acquaintance or neighbour
Someone known to them
A stranger
- 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
“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>