Wellington City Libraries Palm Tree Blossoming of Our Children - Kia Puawai Ngā Tamariki - 10th Australasian Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect

'Crimes of the Heart'


 

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Author

Robyn Hughan
Illusive Entertainment - Melbourne

Speaker

Hetty Johnston

Organisation

Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Program - Melbourne


'Crimes of the Heart' is a powerful short-film that highlights the key issues of child sexual abuse both in its 'domestic' forms and 'commercial' forms. The film demonstrates the extent of the problem and visually portrays its impact on child-victims, families, communities and the larger global community. It highlights the fact that all individuals must take responsibility if child sexual abuse and exploitation are to be stopped. The first step is to become educated about the reality, extent and devastating impact of these crimes on children and on humanity. Crimes of the Heart', written/directed/produced by Robyn Hughan is currently distributed by Video Education Australasia in Australia and New Zealand. Comprehensive teachers' notes by psychologist, Dr. Reina Michaelson, accompany the film.

Proposed Session

This session will begin with the screening of "Crimes of the Heart", introduced by the filmmaker, Robyn Hughan. An in depth discussion will follow, headed by Dr. Reina Michaelson, detailing how the film will be used as a valuable educational tool to introduce the topic of sexual abuse in schools.

Issues to be discussed include:
  1. Why are all children and young people vulnerable to sexual abuse and exploitation?
  2. In what ways do offenders manipulate child-victims to make them feel responsible for the abuse?
  3. What factors contribute to making it difficult for children to disclose if they have been, or are being, sexually abused?
  4. How might a teacher see the effects of child sexual abuse enacted by a child-victim in the classroom/school setting?
  5. What would be a helpful response if a child discloses that they have been sexually abused?
  6. What are the policies and procedures within your school for responding to and reporting child sexual abuse and other forms of child abuse?
  7. What factors contribute to, and serve to perpetuate, the commercial sexual exploitation of children on a local and global level?
  8. Why are children in developing countries most at risk of commercial sexual exploitation?
  9. Why might a family from a developing country "sell" their child for sexual exploitation?
  10. Who is ultimately responsible for the sexual exploitation of children?
  11. What factors might make a child and/or young person more vulnerable to commercial sexual exploitation in Australia?
  12. In what ways does the viewing of child pornography harm children and serve to perpetuate the exploitation of children in pornography?
  13. What can governments do in the effort to overcome the problems of child sexual abuse and the sexual exploitation of children? Communities? Individuals?