Wanganui counsellor speaks to Plunket

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 2, 4 June 1985, Page 12

Wanganui counsellor speaks to Plunket

Glenys Martin, a counsellor with- the Sexual Abuse Centre in Wanganui spoke on child abuse at the annual general meeting of the Waimarino branch of the Plunket Society on Wednesday.

Mrs Martin spoke on the difficulty of talking to children about the subject of sexual assault and the difficulty of finding help. "It is much better if you have a guideline." She advised members of Plunket to read the book 'No More Secrets' by Karen Williams and Jennifer Ray. She says the book has "down to earth, positive advice on preventing sexual assault and advises on basic, simple ways to tell children of the dangers." , The chances of children being sexually assaulted are fairly high. Quoting American statistics for reported sexual assault, which are very close to the New Zealand figures, Mrs Martin said: •One in four girls are sexually assaulted before Teaching the age of 1 3. •Thirteen percent of victims are boys. •More children between the ages of 8 and 12 report assaults than do teenagers. •From 30 to 45 percent of all children are sexually assaulted in some way before Teaching the age of 1 8. •The chances are we all know someone who has been

assaulted even if we are not aware of it. Mrs Martin told the meeting that the Sexual Abuse Centre in Wanganui has been running for two years. "Most of my work involves dealing with children. The bulk of it is to do with incest and molestation of the children." Many of the cases she sees are referrals from GP's or through other agencies such as public health nurses or from children's mothers or even the children themselves., She counsels victims until she believes they are ready to stand on their own two feet. "The idea is to make the victims talk about it until it is not sensational any more and to get them to realise it's not their own fault, but it is the offender's." Mrs Martin says the police are generally embarassed about sexual abuse cases and do not know how to handle them. "They are not aware of the problems victims have."

She says there is a lack of education about sexual abuse and the police need to spend time with the victims and have more knowledge about the victims on a personal level. ★ ★ ★ In the Waimarino branch president's report, Mrs Margaret Martin thanked everyone who had been involved with Plunket over the last year and said she has had a very interesting and busy time as president. "I hope the new president and committee will find it as interesting and rewarding as I have," she concluded. President of the Ohakune sub-branch, Mrs Diane Pasco said in her report that the Plunket Society had taken a new direction over the last year. "Fundraising is becoming increasingly difficult," she said, "and this year in particular has seen large amounts having to be raised just to keep a nurse here." Mrs Pasco said that holdr ing office in Plunket had been a good experience for her. "It has brought me into contact with other mothers

of young children, helped me become involved in my community and has been a social outlet," she said. Mrs Kathy McLean, president of the Raetihi sub branch thanked all those who have been involved in Plunket. She said fundraising through catering had raised approximately $3,810 and the golf tournament raised a further $ 1 ,000. Officials elected at the meeting were: President Waimarino branch - Nolene Bishop, secretary/treasurerNatalie Crowe, President of Raetihi sub-branch - Chris Windle, President Ohakune sub-branch - Rachael Fraser. It was also decided at the meeting that the branch will meet every two months rather than every three months as was the previous practise. The next meeting will be 12th June.