AUSTRALIA
J-Wire
February 11, 2015 by Ari Heber
As the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse continues its investigation we should be aware that the incidents it is investigating represent only a very small percentage of child sexual abuse incidents in Australia.
This is not a pleasant topic but one that has to be discussed so we can provide a safe and protected environment for our children.
I am one of the facilitators of a men’s support group MARS (Men Affected by Rape and Sexual abuse) www.marsaustralia.com.au. I also run Queensland Jewish Community Services Inc. I have worked with about 150 men in groups over the last 10 years and separately to the group have had around 60 members of the Jewish Community male and female disclose to me their childhood abuse.
Statistics show that approximately 25% of females and 17 – 20% of males are sexually abused by the time they are eighteen. These numbers appear to be consistent around the world across national, religious and ethnic boundaries. All communities are affected, without exception, with very similar levels of prevalence. No community can afford to be smug or complacent.
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