Agenda item

In accordance with the Notice of Motion received under Section 4.19 of the Constitution, Councillor Beca Brown will propose as follows:-

 

1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men have experienced sexual abuse during their childhood, and this figure could be even higher.

 

Not only were these experiences horrific to them at the time, but they must live with the effects of these dreadful crimes throughout their lives. 

 

Victims of sexual abuse consistently say that there is not enough support available to them, and that there is insufficient awareness of the trauma they carry every day, forever.

 

1 May is an annual day to remember the victims; to raise awareness of this appalling crime, and to remind us that sexual abuse can happen to any child, in any community. Sexual abuse does not recognise cultural, social, linguistic, religious, gender or racial differences. It can happen anywhere, to anyone.

 

Not My Shame is the campaign group that organises this annual event, holding a minute's silence on this date each year to remember the pain of sexual abuse victims around the world.

 

We call upon Cyngor Gwynedd to recognise this date every year from now on, and to adopt it as a day of remembrance for victims. We call on the Council to fly the campaign flag above its headquarters on 1 May every year to clearly state that sexual abuse is not the victim's shame, it is the offender's shame. We call upon Cyngor Gwynedd to draw public attention on 1 May every year to the support available to victims, and to explain to the public how and where they can report sexual abuse or child protection concerns. 

 

 

1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men have experienced sexual abuse during their childhood, and this figure could be even higher.

 

Not only were these experiences horrific to them at the time, but they must live with the effects of these dreadful crimes throughout their lives. 

 

Victims of sexual abuse consistently say that there is not enough support available to them, and that there is insufficient awareness of the trauma they carry every day, forever.

 

1 May is an annual day to remember the victims; to raise awareness of this appalling crime, and to remind us that sexual abuse can happen to any child, in any community.  Sexual abuse does not recognize cultural, social, linguistic, religious, gender or racial differences. It can happen anywhere, to anyone.

 

Not My Shame is the campaign group that organises this annual event, holding a minute's silence on this date each year to remember the pain of sexual abuse victims around the world.

 

We call upon Cyngor Gwynedd to recognise this date every year from now on, and to adopt it as a day of remembrance for victims.  We call on the Council to fly the campaign flag above its headquarters on 1 May  every year to clearly state that sexual abuse is not the victim's shame, it is the offender's shame.  We call upon Cyngor Gwynedd to draw public attention on 1 May every year to the support available to victims, and to explain to the public how and where they can report sexual abuse or child protection concerns.

 

The following notice of motion was submitted by Councillor Beca Brown under Section 4.19 of the Constitution and seconded:-

 

1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men have experienced sexual abuse during their childhood, and this figure could be even higher.

 

Not only were these experiences horrific to them at the time, but they must live with the effects of these dreadful crimes throughout their lives. 

 

Victims of sexual abuse consistently say that there is not enough support available to them, and that there is insufficient awareness of the trauma they carry every day, forever.

 

1 May is an annual day to remember the victims; to raise awareness of this appalling crime, and to remind us that sexual abuse can happen to any child, in any community. Sexual abuse does not recognise cultural, social, linguistic, religious, gender or racial differences.  It can happen anywhere, to anyone.

 

Not My Shame is the campaign group that organises this annual event, holding a minute's silence on this date each year to remember the pain of sexual abuse victims around the world.

 

We call upon Cyngor Gwynedd to recognise this date every year from now on, and to adopt it as a day of remembrance for victims. We call on the Council to fly the campaign flag above its headquarters on 1 May every year to clearly state that sexual abuse is not the victim's shame, it is the offender's shame. We call upon Cyngor Gwynedd to draw public attention on 1 May every year to the support available to victims, and to explain to the public how and where they can report sexual abuse or child protection concerns.

 

The member set out the context to her motion, noting:-

·         That victims of sexual violence often carried the shame of the crime, as well as deep pain for the rest of their lives, and that the aim of the Not my Shame campaign was to put the shame back where it should be, which was on the shoulders of the offender.

·         That sexual abuse shattered lives, tore families apart and scarred communities and had a negative impact on mental health, physical health, on the ability to form relationships, on the ability to parent effectively and on educational and economic attainment.

·         That receiving a supportive response greatly improved the world of victims who exposed their abuse, and that professionals (including politicians) could play a part, not insignificantly, in mitigating the effects of abuse if they responded appropriately, in a timely manner, supportively, and compassionately.

·         That sexual abuse had cast its shadow over this county, as it was everywhere, and because institutions where a high number of children accumulated could attract criminals, it was important to always be alert to those risks.

·         It was also important to remember that child sexual abuse could occur in any context, and more often than not, in their own homes.

·         'Project 90-10', which offered support to schools to highlight ways to keep children safe, referred to the alarming statistic that 90% of children who were victims of abuse are abused by someone they know.

·         Education played a very important role in all of this and that was why the Code of Education, Relationships and Sexuality was so crucial to keeping children safe.

·         That the motion before the council:-

Ø  reminded us of our responsibility towards the safety of the children of this county and to the well-being of those who had suffered in the past.

Ø  ensured that victims of sexual abuse were treated with respect and compassion and that the Council gave a prominent and public place to their needs, taking every opportunity to promote the principles of child protection as well as where and how to report concerns.

Ø  reminded victims that what happened was not their shame, but the shame of those who had stolen their childhood and changed their lives forever.

 

Enthusiastic support for the motion was expressed by members and the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children and Supporting Families noted that it would ensure that Council officers implemented the proposal and built on the good work already underway.

 

In her closing comments, the proposer noted that this was an opportunity for Gwynedd to innovate once again by being the first county in Wales, and the second through Britain, to publicly support this campaign.

 

RESOLVED to adopt the motion, namely:-

 

1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men have experienced sexual abuse during their childhood, and this figure could be even higher.

 

Not only were these experiences horrific to them at the time, but they must live with the effects of these dreadful crimes throughout their lives. 

 

Victims of sexual abuse consistently say that there is not enough support available to them, and that there is insufficient awareness of the trauma they carry every day, forever.

 

1 May is an annual day to remember the victims; to raise awareness of this appalling crime, and to remind us that sexual abuse can happen to any child, in any community.  Sexual abuse does not recognise cultural, social, linguistic, religious, gender or racial differences. It can happen anywhere, to anyone.

 

Not My Shame is the campaign group that organises this annual event, holding a minute's silence on this date each year to remember the pain of sexual abuse victims around the world.

 

We call upon Cyngor Gwynedd to recognise this date every year from now on, and to adopt it as a day of remembrance for victims. We call on the Council to fly the campaign flag above its headquarters on 1 May every year to clearly state that sexual abuse is not the victim's shame, it is the offender's shame.  We call upon Cyngor Gwynedd to draw public attention on 1 May every year to the support available to victims, and to explain to the public how and where they can report sexual abuse or child protection concerns.