Key Takeaways:
- Survivors of sexual abuse are not destined to become perpetrators, and the majority do not go on to commit sexual offenses.
- Research shows that childhood adversities, including abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction, can increase the risk of mental health challenges, addiction, and trauma-related difficulties.
- Early intervention and support for children who have been harmed are crucial in preventing the cycle of abuse.
- The justice system recognizes the link between past trauma and offending, but it is not an excuse for harmful behavior.
- Understanding someone’s life story can provide context, but it is essential to balance this with accountability for their actions.
Introduction to the Issue
The issue of sexual abuse and its aftermath is complex and multifaceted. For survivors like Neil Harding, who was abused at Auckland’s Dilworth School, the experience can shape their lives but not determine their path. Harding’s story is a testament to the resilience of survivors and the importance of speaking out against abuse. Despite initial fears of stigma and repercussions, Harding decided to lift his name suppression and share his story, driven by the desire to "break the silence" and put a face to the sexual abuse suffered by countless former Dilworth students.
The Impact of Abuse on Survivors
Research shows that while survivors of sexual abuse are more likely to experience mental health challenges, addiction, or trauma-related difficulties, the majority do not go on to commit sexual offenses. According to Dr. Gwenda Willis, an associate professor at the University of Auckland, the risk is often compounded by multiple adversities in childhood, including abuse, neglect, household dysfunction, and instability. Sometimes, survivors can have a skewed understanding of what love is, which can distort their understanding of sex and sexuality. Harding reflects on these realities with empathy, acknowledging that some survivors, including those of the Dilworth abuse, do become perpetrators.
The Importance of Early Intervention
Harding and Dr. Willis emphasize the importance of early intervention and support for children who have been harmed. Harding stresses that society needs to "cotton wool" children by providing safe, stable environments at home, in schools, and in interactions with social services and the justice system. This requires coordinated responses so children receive timely protection and support before abuse can have long-term consequences. Dr. Willis echoes Harding, emphasizing the role of early intervention in providing support and helping survivors build lives free from violence.
Recognizing the Link Between Abuse and Offending
The justice system recognizes the link between past trauma and offending, but it is not an excuse for harmful behavior. Nathan Bourke, a New Plymouth defense lawyer, explains that the court’s role is to understand the causal link between past trauma and offending, which requires evidence through psychological assessments and background reports. Recent amendments to the Sentencing Act provide that discounts for mitigating factors, including background trauma, should not exceed 40%. However, judges retain discretion to go beyond this if limiting to 40% would be manifestly unjust.
The Complexity of the Issue
The issue of sexual abuse and its aftermath is complex, and there is no blanket rule for understanding the link between past trauma and offending. Each case is unique, and the justice system must balance the need to hold offenders accountable with the need to provide support and rehabilitation. Harding’s experience shows that surviving abuse does not have to determine someone’s path, and that with the right support and intervention, survivors can build lives free from violence. As Harding says, "I’m not going to not do it out of fear of what people think. I’ve got nothing to hide. I’m accountable for everything I’ve done."
