samsn's STRONGER Survivors & Mates Support Network

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 mean that survivors often carry heavy legacies, like being made to feel complicit and responsible for aspects of the abuse, and being forced to keep the abuse secret in order to protect others. This often results in feelings of powerlessness, anger, shame and self-blame.
Managing these burdens requires - in the words of psychologists Sophie Reid and Jace Cannon Brookes - “ingenious survival”. The survivors in this episode share some of their survival strategies.
Featuring (in order of appearance): Shane Greentree (SAMSN), Adam S, Matthew O, Ryan C, Lindsay G, Clinical Psychologists Jace Cannon-Brooks & Sophie Reid (Birchtree Centre), Phillip S, Jarad G, Janet, Les S, Martin W, Craig Hughes-Cashmore (SAMSN, MD/CEO), Rae Boxwell (SAMSN, Counsellor), Brett Pickard (SAMSN, Eight-week Support Group facilitator), Pete R.
Resources for survivors: 
https://www.samsn.org.au/recovery-and-healing/resources-for-survivors/
Thanks to: 
All our wonderful interviewees!Rob Carlton and Felicity Blake Jace Cannon-Brooks & Sophie Reid, Birchtree CentrePeter BolamAnd The National Redress Scheme
Music: Licensed via Audiio.com 

SHANE - Sebastian Kauderer: Stay With Me (Instrumental)
ADAM, MATTHEW, RYAN - Matthew Wright: Theme
JANET - Richard Smithson: Sometimes I Don't Know Who I Am
MARTIN - The Future Reality: Iridescent
MARTIN - Marshall Usinger: Everything We Hoped For
AD / RIC HERBERT - Sebastian Kauderer: Two Big Reasons
LINDSAY, ADAM, LES, RYAN, PHIL (CLOSING) - Kevin Bean: Willow
CLOSING CREDITS - Seth Öphengon: A Safe Place (Instrumental)

 

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 men. A significant number of child sexual abuse survivors are abused outside the home by male authority figures working in trusted institutions, such as religious leaders, teachers or coaches. These figures were often role models. When survivors tried to disclose or report to authority figures they were often disbelieved, re-traumatised and sometimes re-abused. This abuse of power by perpetrators and institutions with authority has caused significant long-term harm, including fear, distrust, avoidance and sometimes hatred of authority that can lead to clashes with teachers, bosses and those in positions of power. This sets many men on a life course leading to denied opportunities, failure to achieve, and clashes with authority figures.
This episode shares some personal experiences of engagement with the Commission, as survivors spoke out to the community (often for the first time) about their abuse, their quest to be heard, and pursuit of justice and redress from the institution in which they were abused. 
Featuring (in order of appearance): Lindsay G, Journalist Philippa McDonald, Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald AM, Professor Rita Shackel, Dr Judy Cashmore, Sheridan, Pete R.
Thanks to: Ric Herbert and Pearl Herbert for our ad
Music: Licensed via Audiio.com 

LINDSAY - Farewell (Instrumental)
AD / RIC HERBERT - Sebastian Kauderer: Two Big Reasons (Instrumental)
PHILIPPA - Centre of the Sea: Condolences (Instrumental)
PETE / FELICITY - Outland: Footprints (Instrumental)
PHILIPPA - Sebastian Kauderer: Saving Carl
CLOSING CREDITS - Seth Öphengon: A Safe Place (Instrumental)

The National Redress Scheme was established after the Royal Commission into Instutitional 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 Response.
This ‘How-To’ explainer features a personal story from a survivor who sought redress through the National Redress Scheme. We'll also hear reflections from legal experts, a redress support service worker, and a counsellor. This episode is specifically designed to help potential applicants understand the scheme, its benefits, how to access it, and what they might be able to expect from the experience.
Featuring (in order of appearance): Tony Daly, Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald AM, Warren Strange (CEO, knowmore legal service), Elvis Caus (SAMSN, Planned Support Team Leader), Prue Gregory OAM (SAMSN, Policy, Advocacy & Stakeholder Relations Manager), Raelene Boxwell (SAMSN, Counsellor).
Thanks to: The National Redress Scheme Warren Strange and knowmore legal service 
Music: Licensed via Audiio.com 

TONY / FELICITY / ROB - Julep House: Wanted Man
TONY / ELVIS - Julep House: Back to Normal
PRUE - Philip Daniel: Against Transgression
ELVIS / TONY - Carinthia: Selah
CLOSING CREDITS - Seth Öphengon: A Safe Place (Instrumental)

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’Leary, Professor Rita Shackel, and Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald.
Featuring (in order of appearance): Adam S, Professor Patrick O’Leary, Professor Rita Shackel, Jarad G, and Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald AM.
Music: Licensed via Audiio.com 

ROB / OPENER - CAPE: Mandela Vs De Klerk
ADAM / FELICITY - Ivan Grigorashchuk: Rain
JARAD - Outland: The Scientist's Daughter
CLOSING CREDITS - Seth Öphengon: A Safe Place (Instrumental)

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 justice. Sometimes a personal sense of crime and punishment just doesn’t line up with the complexities, biases and pitfalls of the criminal legal system, leaving both victims and the public with the sickening impression that perpetrators “get away with it”. The necessity for changes to both reporting and prosecution which better serve the victims has now been acknowledged; we’ll hear from survivors and advocates about the way forward, and what needs to change. 
Featuring (in order of appearance): Jarad G, Mark C, Craig Hughes-Cashmore (SAMSN MD/CEO), Dr Judy Cashmore, Adam S, Professor Patrick O’Leary, Professor Rita Shackel, Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald AM.
Mentioned in the episode: Caroline Taylor’s book ‘Surviving the Legal System’ 
Music: Licensed via Audiio.com 

CRAIG / OPENER - The Brilliance: Violent Loving
MARK - J Scott Rakozy: Memories Adrift
CLOSING CREDITS - Seth Öphengon: A Safe Place (Instrumental)

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 to get the balance right in understanding and supporting a survivor, and attending to your own needs. In this episode we hear from partners and daughters about their journey with  survivors on their path to recovery.
Featuring (in order of appearance): Janet, Missy, Tracy, Louise, Matthew O, Sheridan, Raelene Boxwell (SAMSN, Counsellor).
Resources for supporters: https://www.samsn.org.au/resources-for-supporters/
Music: Licensed via Audiio.com

OPENING / JANET - Matthew L. Fisher: The Hand Of A Child (Instrumental)
TRACY & MATTHEW - Kevin Bean: Light Beneath Us
JANET & MISSY - Nova: Glowing Lights (Instrumental)
JANET - Ambient Endeavors: Ten Thirty One (Instrumental)