Incest survivors meet

Press, 10 February 1986, Page 8

Incest survivors meet

Making it

The sexual abuse of a child by a member of her own family can be a devastating experience, often leaving feelings of shame, victimisation and distrust that can last a lifetime. Now, thanks to women who were sexually abused as children having the courage to speak out, this once taboo subject is out in the open. The result has been a growth of support groups where incest victims can talk freely, clear themselves of any blame and eventually come to terms with the experience. An incest survivors group may be the first place where a woman can find understanding of the way sexual abuse has af- / fected her life. To be able to talk with people who have had similar experiences brings immense relief. The first incest survivors meeting in New Zealand was held in Christchurch in 1981. Since then, groups have been set up throughout the country, providing a caring atmosphere for women to explore their experiences and feelings with others. Women who belong or have belonged to these support groups gain a lot of self-confidence and become more able to form trusting and close relationships. Women who have been sexually abused as children are invited to a Rape Crisis/Incest Survivors meeting next Monday evening, February 17, with the aim of setting up more support groups throughout the city. For more details please phone Rape Crisis/Incest Survivors at 796-202. Babyfood — illegal advertising? The popular slogan

“Breast is best” — promoted by Plunket, La Leche and the International Baby Food Action Network — has undoubtedly helped to promote a more positive attitude towards breastfeeding in New Zealand in recent years. Yet advertisers persist in trying to sow the seeds of doubt in women's minds about this natural, ready-to-serve and altogether superior method of baby feeding.

Phrases like “when breastmilk is insufficient” or “if you cannot breastfeed” can prey upon mothers, who then buy the formula to supplement breastfeeding. But once bottle feeding is begun, the breasts supply even less milk, forcing many women to give up breastfeeding altogether.

The World Health Organisation - has a code prohibiting retailers from using special displays or offering special prices for infant formula. Yet chemist shops illegally promote the products — by having doorway displays at a special price, for instance. Several cases of this have been reported from Auckland recently. Violations of the W.H.O. code in New Zealand are taken up by the Code Monitoring Committee in Wellington — but it depends on community groups and members of the public to notify it about breaches of the code.

Any chemist — or other shop — with special displays or prices for infant formula can be reported to: W.H.O. Code Monitoring Committee, C/- Mr Karl Kerins, P.O. Box 5013, Wellington. New face of beauty Those of us who think beauty parlours are all about false eyelashes and face powder need to update our thinking. Today’s beauty business has a sophisticated, holistic approach, encompassing not only the, traditional skills of skin care, make-up and depilation, but up-to-date thinking in the medical, scientific, psychological and alternative therapies field.

“The beauty industry used to be about the superficial, the finishing touch, something added on. Now we’re concerned

“The beauty industry used to be about the superficial. Now we are not only concerned with gilding, but the lily too.”

not only with gilding, but the lily too,” says Mary Barker of Christchurch.

Mary is the New Zealand councillor to the Australian Federation of Aestheticians and Beauty Therapists, which is holding a Mini Expo and convention in Christchurch from February 21 to 25. Included in the weekend events at the Russley Hotel, Roydvale Avenue, are lectures on beauty therapy and self-esteem by a psychotherapist, relaxation and beauty by a holistic therapist, inner motivation by a clinical hypnotherapist and the alternative path to beauty by an alternative healer. Most lecturers are from Christchurch. “It’s a myth that beauty is only skin deep. Beauty comes from the mind, body, soul and heart,” says Mary Barker. In addition there will be sessions on acne, laser skin therapy, red vein treatment, ageing and the sun. and the use of acupuncture — all by highly qualified professionals. Interested members of the public and those in associated businesses are welcome to attend the lecture week-end, or part of it, on February 22 and 23.

For more details write to Mary Barker, Mini

Expo, P.O. Box 13569, Christchurch, or phone her at 481-270 or 60-588 during business hours. She will be glad to forward a programme and registration form.

Anorexia and Bulimia Aid

The Anorexia and Bulimia Aid group is holding a parents’ meeting tomorrow night, February 11, at Chilton House, on the corner of Hagley Ave and Selwyn St. Starting time is 7.30 p.m. These parent support meetings, held on the second Tuesday of each month, are a chance to learn more about eating disorders, share problems and cope more effectively with an anorexic or bulimic person. Please phone 67-725 for further information.

Compiled by Glenys Walker. Items for this column should be sent to Glenys Walker, Making It Happen, Home and People Page, The Press, P.O. Box 1005, Christchurch. Copy should reach the newspaper one week before publication date.