Latest news with #survivor
Al Jazeera
4 hours ago
- General
- Al Jazeera
Gaza doctor dies after Israeli bombing killed nine of his children
NewsFeed Gaza doctor dies after Israeli bombing killed nine of his children Gaza Doctor Hamdi al-Najjar has died 8 days after suffering severe injuries in an Israeli strike that killed nine of his 10 children. His death leaves his 11-year-old son as the sole survivor of the attack.
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Warning over common games amid hidden Aussie crisis that's 'too uncomfortable to talk about'
In Australia, a staggering 79 per cent of child sexual abuse (CSA) victims know their abuser, and an estimated one in four Australians have experienced abuse themselves. It's a confronting reality — one that affects millions across the country — and yet still too often exists in silence. Experts say breaking that silence is critical to removing the shame and stigma that continues to prevent so many survivors from coming forward. Shelley is both a mother and a survivor of child sexual abuse. She understands firsthand the weight of carrying the burden and how difficult it can be to speak out. In an interview with Yahoo News Australia, she stressed that addressing the abuse means going right to the root of the problem. "I've learned that prevention isn't just about education or the occasional conversation. It's about creating a way of life where children know they are safe, heard, and believed — always," she said. "We can't control what others do, but we can control how we show up for our children. That means raising them in an environment where trust is built every day, where body autonomy is respected from the start, and where no topic is too uncomfortable to speak about." Shelley said that also includes the hard work parents and caregivers must do on themselves —acknowledging personal wounds, challenging harmful beliefs, and letting go of the idea that "it won't happen to us." In many cases, she pointed out, abuse doesn't come from strangers — it happens within families, social circles and communities. In some cases, the harm even comes from other children who have been victims themselves. Leading child protection organisation Bravehearts is calling for greater national awareness around this issue with the launch of its new campaign, "Grooming Hides Behind Harmless". The campaign shines a light on the often-subtle behaviours predators use to groom children and the adults around them, gradually building trust to lower suspicion and gain access. Bravehearts CEO Alison Geale explained that grooming can look like everyday acts of kindness and familiarity. But even something as seemingly innocent as children's games can be a vehicle for boundary-testing. She said games like hide and seek, tag, doctors and nurses, mums and dads or play fighting can, in some instances, be used as a cover to push physical boundaries under the guise of play. While those games are a normal part of childhood, she emphasised the importance of being alert to patterns, like an adult or older child frequently initiating one-on-one play in private settings, encouraging secrets, or dismissing a child's discomfort. When a child is repeatedly isolated from others under the pretext of fun or special attention, it could be a red flag. Unprecedented spike exposes heartbreaking trend among young Aussies Sad trend among Aussie kids each day from 4pm Public service child abuse reports spike after inquiry "It's important to understand that grooming takes time and involves the grooming of not only the child but also those adults around the child," Alison said. "Gaining the trust of parents or even organisations is a critical component of gaining access to the child. "The grooming process can take time, sometimes years, as the offender builds trust. When treating a single behaviour in isolation, protective adults can view that as harmless, joining the dots can be tricky." The campaign urges all adults — parents, carers, teachers, coaches, neighbours — to recognise that awareness is a vital tool in prevention. By learning to spot manipulative behaviour early, people are better equipped to protect their kids. "Learn as much as you can about the signs," Alison said. "Child sex offenders are cunning and manipulative, often gaslighting parents, caregivers and other adults, leading them to believe that any suspicions they have are unfounded." Despite the 2017 Royal Commission recommendations, significant action is still lacking, particularly around unified national measures, Alison warned. She said there's still an ongoing need for stronger collaboration between state and federal governments on key issues like reporting, education, sentencing, and implementing a national Working with Children Check. While the National Strategy is making progress, crucial areas of prevention and treatment still require urgent attention. "A quarter of Australians have experienced child sexual abuse, and this is a conservative statistic," she said. "Parents and caregivers need to recognise this alarming fact, become knowledgeable about the facts and feel confident to be vigilant about the adults their children spend unsupervised time with." If you believe a child is at immediate risk of harm, call triple zero without delay and report to police. For guidance or support, you can contact Bravehearts' toll-free National Information and Support Line on 1800 272 831 (available Monday to Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm AEST). For further information, including how to report concerns in your state, visit Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
CBS News
a day ago
- General
- CBS News
911 call released after Broward Animal Control worker seriously injured by dog
Police have released a 911 call on Friday after a Broward Animal Control worker was attacked by a dog in Fort Lauderdale. In the 911 call, the woman screams and begs for the dispatcher to send help immediately. At one point, you hear the dog growling as they wrestle to get it off the animal control officer. The woman told the dispatcher her son got the dog off the animal control officer and was lying on top of it so it wouldn't get loose. Authorities confirmed Friday the woman is expected to survive.
CBC
2 days ago
- General
- CBC
She's a childhood brain tumour survivor — and now she's sharing her story to help others
A University of Windsor student is sharing her story of surviving a childhood brain tumour to raise funds for research, and so that others feel less alone. She spoke with CBC's Katerina Georgieva.
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Coach who raped and sexually assaulted girls jailed
A women who was raped when she was a child says her abuser "violated boundaries I hadn't yet learned how to name".Michael Haynes, from Urmston in Greater Manchester, has been jailed for 18 years for raping and assaulting two girls in the 1980s and 76-year-old was found guilty at Manchester Crown Court after a woman contacted police in 2020 and consequent media coverage led to the second woman filing a report in Manchester Police said they "believed there may be further victims" who they encouraged to contact them. Haynes was working at Trafford School of Gymnastics, when he assaulted the girls, starting with inappropriate touching - including when apparently helping with stretching also asked one of his victims, when she was 12 years old, inappropriate questions about relationships. 'Confusion and shame' Police said he committed a range of offences from sexual touching to rape with "offences occurring in his vehicle".In a victim impact statement read to the court, one of the women said: "Michael Haynes violated boundaries I hadn't yet learned how to name."I didn't understand what had happened – or how I felt about it. I just knew something had shifted in me."She said "something had been taken by someone I trusted, and I carried confusion and shame for many years"."I still live with the effects of what happened, but I also live with pride in who I've become. All you have left now is shame." Appeal for more information The other woman said she joined the gym at the age of about 10 as "a young kind-hearted child with the hopes and dreams of being a British gymnast"."When the abuse started shortly after, I felt lost and scared, and I have carried the weight and worry through life ever since."She said social media and documentaries had "comforted and inspired" her to report "the abuse I suffered all those years ago".Det Insp Rick Lees, from Greater Manchester Police, called it a "harrowing investigation"."Following our investigation, we believe there may be further victims who Haynes taught gymnastics from the same time period of the late 1980s to early 1990s, who may have previously felt unable to come forward."We would like to take this opportunity to appeal to anyone who has been a victim of any form of sexual abuse, whether it be recent or non-recent to please get in touch with us, no matter how long ago it was - we will listen to you and we can help."Haynes, from Barnfield in Urmston, was found guilty of eight counts of rape and 12 counts of indecent has also been listed on the sex offenders register for an indefinite period.
