Sexual abuse survivors call for more ‘informal’ services to help their recovery

Sexual abuse survivors say their recovery has been “compromised” by a “narrow” stream of options available to them.

Sexual assault survivors call for more funding towards “non-traditional” services to help with their recovery Picture: iStock

Victims of sexual abuse say there is a shortage of long-term help outside of the counsellor’s office, fearing the “narrow” stream of options will “compromise” their recovery.

Victorian advocates have lobbied for more funding for “non-traditional therapies” — like boxing classes and animal therapy — for sexual abuse victims which they feel would add a “powerful step” towards recovery.

Sexual Assault Services Victoria chief executive Kathleen Maltzan said while formal psychological help was “life changing” for many people, there needed to be a “broader” outlook in offering help.

“The current funding model is too narrow and limits choices for survivors,” she said.

“It’s not a one size fits all for survivors ... we need to think more broadly and having a wider offering for survivors.”

Sexual Assault Services chief executive Kathleen Maltzahn. Picture: Supplied

It’s why Melbourne film producer Dr Donna Lyon started “Left Write Hook” — an eight week boxing program tailor-made for abuse victims.

The “pay as much as you want” model — born out of her Ferntree Gully gym — consists of survivors journalling and sharing their experiences before “bashing the s—t out of a boxing bag”.

Dr Lyon — who is also an associate professor at University of Melbourne — said “it was clear” that these services worked and needed to be adequately funded.

“People come in as scared almost little versions of themselves and over the eight weeks they’re stronger and more empowered which is so beautiful,” she said.

“Survivors need to be the ones to run mental health programs but we need support like everyone else.

“We live in a risk averse society where there has been a real top down approach to mental health and a program like Left Write Hook says ‘you as a survivor are the expert in your own narrative and your own body.’ You have a real sense of agency in the room.”

Donna Lyon at Fit Life Gym in Ferntree Gully where she started “Left Write Hook” Picture: Andy Brownbill. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Researchers from University of Melbourne found her eight week program — which runs out of more than 10 locations across Melbourne and has a waiting list of nearly 400 people — helped reduce PTSD and increased personal agency and resilience.

Dr Lyon was one of several speakers who addressed advocates at the “Right to Recovery” forum on Thursday organised by SASVic on how alternative services can help people.

East Gippsland Equine professional Tama Green was also featured at the forum alongside her horse “Ghost” who travels across the state to engage in “horse therapy” with abuse survivors.

Ms Green said the therapy helped “build confidence” in survivors as they experienced “safe touch” with horses.

“Horses also express clear boundaries in an honest and authentic way,” she said.

“They’re non-judgemental and really social ... the only thing horses care about is authenticity.”

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics 1 in 5 women have experienced sexual violence while 20 per cent of Australian women have also been stalked.

Sex crimes are also the most likely to drop out of the court system, with fewer than five per cent of alleged rapes proven in court.

Lived experience advocate Cathy Oddie told the Herald Sun there needed to be more options that can be accessed “more regularly” than a weekly session with a psychiatrist.

“Sometimes counselling and psychologists and all these things have their place but you’re not having counselling every day and trauma is every day and can pop up anytime,” she said.

“The strategies that we have to find are how do we cope and manage outside of those sessions, so having things that aren’t formal or don’t cost a lot of money, because so many are financially impacted by the offending against them.”

Lived experience advocates Cate Mahony (left) and Cathy Oddie (right) at the SASVic “Right to Recovery” forum. Picture: Athos Sirianos

Likewise fellow advocate Cate Mahony said the group setting that many of the services provided created a “community” for survivors to lean on.

“For me, one-on-one counselling I’ve not found to be useful for myself,” she said.

“There was no real understanding about my PTSD whereas hopping onto Instagram even I’ve met so many amazing people and feel understood and like I’ve got a community now.”