Handing The Shame Back - Interview With Child Sexual Abuse Survivor Gloria Masters

Gloria Masters is the founder of Handing The Shame Back Foundation, a charity dedicated to supporting adult survivors of child sexual abuse.

As a child Gloria survived 16 years of child sexual abuse, including trafficking. This abuse began with her family, and quickly spread to other groups and gangs. Three years ago, she felt healed enough to help others by publishing her memoir On Angels Wings, and establishing the charity.

Gloria’s work is valued and appreciated overseas, however in New Zealand her work goes mostly unnoticed - it seems that New Zealander’s either don't want to admit child sexual abuse is a big issue (it is), or the powers-that-be do not want this topic to be brought to light. Her podcast, also called Handing The Shame Back, is in 63 countries and has had over 12 million views worldwide.

Child sex trafficking has been occurring in society since time began. This issue is not new. It urgently needs to be brought out into the light to be dealt with, and for the children and adults affected to find a pathway to enable healing.

Abusers must be dealt with.

‘Most good people do nothing because they don’t know what to do.’ - Gloria Masters

Definitions

• Sexual abuse - when an adult or older person uses a child for sexual gratification - it includes non-touching sexual abuse - looking, posing, as well as groping and sharing digital images. If the purpose of an action is to provide sexual gratification for an adult or older child - this is abuse. Not assault, abuse.
• Child is aged 16 and under in New Zealand - it differs around the world. Care of Children Act 2004 states that a child is under 18. Age of consent in NZ is 16.

Stats from Help New Zealand

• By the time girls in NZ reach 16,1 in 3 will have been sexually abused.
  
• By the time boys in NZ reach 16,1 in 4-6 boys will have been sexually abused.
  Source: Wellington Help

Don’t ignore what children do, their behaviour is always telling you something. - Gloria Masters

Hand signal for help - for children

Gloria is promoting a simple hand signal for children who are being sexually abused, to seek help. Please share her hand sign for children - let’s get people around New Zealand to know about this important hand sign. Practice it as she shares it during our interview and show it to others.

“The shame never belonged to the child.” - Gloria Masters

Exposing myths

• Sexual abuse is not more prevalent in lower socio-economic communities - it’s everywhere, and often in affluent communities.
  
• Over 90% of people who have experienced abuse do not go on to abuse.

Statistics - our people are hurting

New Zealand leads the world in suicide, domestic violence, infanticide and child sexual abuse. People who have experienced some form of child abuse are found in:

• Over 90% of people in rehab centres.
  
• Over 55% of people in our prisons.
  
• Over 60% of our suicides can be attributed to people who have experienced some form of sexual abuse.
  
• Over 90% of children under 14 who have taken their own lives, were sexually abused.

Media Spotlight: Gloria’s Story on Unfiltered Stories

Gloria has published two books, a third is coming soon 

• A Flight Path To Healing - a book to help child sexual abuse survivors.
• On Angels Wings - a Memoir by Gloria Masters - her personal story.
• Keeping Kids Safe - a Roadmap for parents and teachers - coming in October 2023 - pre-orders available.

Find out more about Gloria and her work

• Gloria Masters
• Handing The Shame Back
• Reality Check Radio Interview

Social Media Handles - share her content to help those in your network

• Facebook - Handing The Shame Back
• Spotify
• BuzzSprout
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Twitter (X)
• Tiktok

Do you want to talk?

• Contact Gloria at www.handingtheshameback.org
  
• NZ Sexual Harm Helpline, 0800 044 334 or text 4334, [email protected]
  
• Help Auckland 0800 623 1700, [email protected], text 8236
• Wellington Help, 0800 367 4357
  
• Male Survivors Aotearoa, Freephone: 0800 044 334

Thanks for checking out Pendulum on Voice Media

• This article is available for free for 7 days. 

  
• If you believe in freedom of speech and journalism that is free from government interference and censorship, join Voice Media. Let's support truth together!

  
• On joining - you have the option to support channels (no extra cost to you). Please SUPPORT my Pendulum channel, it keeps me going.
  
• Join us on Twitter (X)
• Join us on Telegram