Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Royal-Comtois Center Provides Psychotherapy Services for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse
Hawkesbury, January 10, 2012 - The Royal-Comtois
Center is now offering services to male survivors of
sexual abuse in the United Counties of Prescott &
Russell. “Sexual abuse on men is still taboo in the
community” says Dr. Suzanne Filion, Director of
Mental Health and Addictions Services at the
Hawkesbury & District General Hospital. “By talking
about it, explaining the effects, and providing support
to those who are interested in developing healthier ways
to cope with the abuse, the Center believes that
misconceptions about this condition can be changed.”
Abusers depend on secrecy and fear. They manipulate
children into coping with the abuse alone. Survivors
sometimes use the same coping strategies they learned
as children and continue to keep the secret of their
abuse hidden behind submission, anger, violence,
isolation, unhealthy relationships, drug and alcohol
abuse. Group sessions allow men to tell their stories and abuse. Group sessions allow men to tell their stories and
learn healthier coping strategies in a confidential,
supportive and safe environment. Men are given the
opportunity to realize they are not alone, they are not to
blame and they can learn to do more than just get by
day to day.
This initiative is part of the new services for survivors
throughout Ontario, provided through funding of $2.2
million over 2 years by the Ontario Ministry of the
Attorney General. In Eastern Ontario, funds are
distributed by the Catholic Family Services Ottawa to
several partners, including the Royal-Comtois Center
in Prescott and Russell. Individuals interested in
receiving information about sexual abuse services for
men can call the Royal-Comtois Center at
613-632-0139.
Information: Renée Proulx-Lamarche, Psychotherapist, Lead in Sexual Assault and Violence
Centre Royal-Comtois Centre, Hôpital Général de Hawkesbury & District General Hospital
(613) 632-0139. rplamarche@hgh.ca
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