Tong Nguyen Van | Unsplash
Raising awareness about child sexual abuse among parents/ guardians in CALD communities
One aim of Stage 2 is to create a video with information about:
The definition of child sexual abuse, its prevalence across the world, and who is most likely to be a perpetrator.
Common myths about child sexual abuse, how they make parents disbelieve their victimised child, and the long-term impacts of not being believed.
Racism and cultural taboos stopping victims and their families from seeking counselling - which could be beneficial for reducing the negative long-term impacts of sexual assault.
Racism is about fearing your entire ethnic community will be negatively stereotyped by the services you access.
Cultural taboos are about all sexual matters including abuse not being socially acceptable to discuss publicly and not wanting to tarnish the family’s name.
‘Misogynoir’ (racist sexism)
Highly patriarchal societies must take responsibility for cultural norms that permit family honour being prioritised over the well-being of victims of sexual assault
Living in a white-majority country makes that even harder to do because it racialises sexism
With slow, persistent, and self-determined effort fear can be overcome and a harmful status quo can be seriously challenged
The importance of letting children receive education from their school when child sexual abuse prevention programs are implemented, so they can recognise predatory behaviour (known as ‘grooming’) and know who to contact for support and protection from re/victimisation.
The fact that child sexual abuse is a criminal offence. It is not ‘normal’ behaviour.
The fact that Australia takes its responsibility for child protection very seriously which may differ from other countries and cause further trauma to families when there is misunderstanding about the role and interventions of statutory departments.
This video will be anonymously accessible. Viewers can choose to complete an anonymous survey about information they found useful.