Survivors: Honouring strength, resilience and healing

It’s vital to recognise and honour the strength, resilience and courage of Survivors of sexual abuse.

For many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the impacts of trauma can be profound and far-reaching, affecting individuals, families and communities across generations. Days such as National Survivors Day provides an opportunity to acknowledge the experiences of Survivors, celebrate their journeys of healing, and reinforce the importance of creating culturally safe spaces where people feel heard, supported and empowered.

We recognise that healing looks different for everyone. We stand with Survivors, their families and communities, and acknowledge the courage it takes to speak up, seek support and move forward on a healing journey.

The strength of Survivors

Survivors are not defined by what happened to them. Their stories are stories of resilience, strength and determination. Every journey is unique, and every person’s experience deserves to be met with respect, compassion and understanding.

It’s important to remind ourselves that healing is possible and that no one should have to walk that journey alone.

Supporting healing through culture and connection

Connection to culture, family, Community and Country can play a powerful role in healing and social and emotional wellbeing. Across our communities, Survivors continue to show remarkable strength while reclaiming their voices, identities and futures.

By listening without judgement, believing Survivors and promoting culturally safe support services, we can all contribute to environments where healing can thrive.

Everyone has a role to play

Creating safer communities requires collective action. We encourage all our Mob to:

• listen to and support Survivors
• challenge stigma and shame
• promote culturally safe and trauma-informed services
• foster respectful and safe relationships
• help raise awareness of the lifelong impacts of child sexual abuse.

Through compassion, understanding and action, we can contribute to a future where survivors are supported, respected and empowered.

If you need support

If this topic has raised concerns or difficult emotions for you, support is available.

You can sing out to your local clinic, IUIH service or access confidential specialist support through services such as:

• Murrigunyah (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-specific service in Logan)
• BRISSC (Brisbane-based service)
• CASV (Logan-based service)
• GCCASV (Gold Coast-based service)
• Laurel Place (Moreton Bay, the Sunshine Coast and Murgon)
• Zig Zag (young women and gender diverse service)
• Shield (for boys and men)
• MARS (for men)
• 13YARN (13 92 76), a national crisis support line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Standing together

Let’s honour Survivors, recognise their strength, and reaffirm our commitment to supporting healing, wellbeing and resilience of our Mob.

Your story matters. Your strength matters. Your healing matters.