Sex abuse support services overwhelmed with calls

Counsellors say the Royal Commission into the handling of child sexual abuse in institutions is also setting back the "recovery" of many victims, and services are being overwhelmed by calls for help.

sex_abuse_victims_sbs.jpg
Ten months after the historic Royal Commission was announced, counsellor help lines are being flooded with calls.

They say people reporting to the inquiry are reliving old traumas.

"This discussion will be quite painful for all of us, but it will also help us to move to a place where we are going to be much better prepared to protect our children".

The Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia received almost $3 million of extra funding.

It traditionally helps women in New South Wales, but with demand soaring, it has now become a national service.

Sporting star Lauren Jackson is passionate about spreading the message: "Sexual family and domestic violence is not okay, it's not acceptable". 

And it's a message shared by Muslim representatives.

"If people are really practising their Islam we don't have any worries," said Wafa Zaim from the Muslim Women Association.

The Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia works with religious leaders to change attitudes towards seeking help, and assists over 90 Aboriginal women advocating in their community. 

Watch the video above for the full story.

 

 


Share
1 min read

Published

Updated

By Marion Ives
Source: SBS

Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world
Sex abuse support services overwhelmed with calls | SBS News