SAMSN (Survivors & Mates Support Network)
Thursday, July 2, 2015 at 9:00AM 
With special guest:
- Mark Griffiths
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse is increasing our awareness of the harm done to the vulnerable children in our midst. But while we wait for a government response to the revelations, one group is out there now healing the distress for victims.
SAMSN was established in 2010 by two survivors of childhood sexual abuse when they discovered that there were no support groups to help them. SAMSN is a not-for-profit organisation that is not affiliated with any religious organisation.
Our guest today is Mark Griffiths the Chair of SAMSN’s Clinical Advisory Board. Mark tells us that 64% of the people who have told their story to the Royal Commission are men and this fits with his experience that the majority of the victims in institutions are male. This is not to say that the offending authorities in the institutions are necessarily homosexual, it means that they are child abusers.
There are special difficulties for the men who have endured and survived the abuse. Instead of putting the blame where it belongs, these men are hard on themselves; they feel as men they should always be in control. This community expectation on men leaves the men feeling helpless and shameful about what has happened. Worse still these men find it hard to trust themselves because of another community belief that this type of abuse passes down the generations. As a result these men feel uncomfortable assuming the normal fatherly roles of changing nappies and bathing their children. Sometimes it might take 20 years before these men tell anyone of their experience knowing that if their partner finds out this could result in breaking up the family because the father will not be trusted. When a subject is not talked about rumours and myths will flourish.
I urge everyone to come with us behind the Royal Commission headlines, behind the community myths, to meet an expert who offers healing when we desperately need it.
Mark Griffiths
Mark Griffiths is a registered Psychologist and a member of the Australian Psychological Society. Up until 2009 Mark was a Senior Psychologist at the Eastern and Central Sexual Assault Service at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Sydney. Prior to this Mark worked at the Central Sydney Area Health Service at Newtown and Redfern Community Health Centres as a Psychologist and Team Leader. Mark has commenced over 50 peer support groups assisting over 450 men and is the Chair of SAMSN’s Clinical Advisory Board.
Song selection by our guest: On the Nickel by Tom Waits