This “special edition” episode of STRONGER features some of the people integral to SAMSN’s impactful work. Our host, SAMSN’s CEO Craig Hughes Cashmore chats with Professor Patrick O’Leary and Doctor Gary Foster, both of whom are part of SAMSN’s Practice Advisory Committee. Following SAMSN’s high-impact roundtable in Canberra, our two expert advisors have some powerful insights to share with you.

The Roundtable – Intersections of Child Sexual Abuse, Suicidality & Violence – was held at the Red Shed in Canberra on the 17th of September 2025 as part of a joint project between Survivors & Mates Support Network (SAMSN), Griffith University’s Disrupting Violence Beacon (DVB) and the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (CEVAW). It aimed to shine a light on the ongoing national tragedy of child sexual abuse (CSA), suicidality and violence. Participants included survivors and advocates, academics, researchers, policy makers, and frontline workers in service delivery. It is hoped this Roundtable, and further conversations will help shape priorities and collaborations around the critical work needed to save lives touched by CSA. You can read the full report on our website.

Professor Patrick O’Leary is the co-Director of the Disrupting Violence Beacon and Chief Investigator for the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women at Griffith University. He’s an internationally-recognised researcher, with significant expertise in domestic violence, gender-based violence and child protection. Prior to entering academic work, Patrick was a social worker in sexual assault, counselling, and domestic violence services. For over 25 years he’s conducted research on the effects of child sexual abuse on men.

Dr Gary Foster is a social worker who used to be a Police Officer in London’s Metropolitan Police, where he co-coordinated a Domestic Violence unit and investigated and prosecuted sexual assaults. After his move to Australia, Gary established and managed Queensland’s “Living Well” service, which provided counselling and group support to men who’d experienced childhood sexual abuse or adult sexual assault, as well as to partners, families, and communities. Gary’s PhD examines governmental responses to male-on-male rape. Gary joined SAMSN’s Practice Advisory Committee to help build a support network giving voice and agency to male survivors and their supporters.

We hope you enjoy this special episode, subscribe to the series, and join us in 2026 for Season 2: STRONGER STORIES.

• (00:00:02) - Samson's Strongest Stories
• (00:00:33) - Stronger: Season 1
• (00:02:25) - Samson's Stronger Stories:
• (00:04:24) - The national conversation on child sexual abuse
• (00:06:40) - Survivors of Suicidality speak out
• (00:09:57) - The national sexual abuse strategies
• (00:16:10) - Post-traumatic stress and health
• (00:18:21) - Barriers to disclosure in suicide
• (00:19:51) - When is it safe to talk about violence in the workplace?
• (00:24:17) - Survivors' Day: Hope and the challenges
• (00:28:58) - Talking About Suicide Among Sexual Abuse Survivors
• (00:35:28) - Male survivors of child sexual abuse
• (00:45:20) - The importance of survivors of child sexual abuse
• (00:46:16) - The similarities and differences of sexual abuse survivors
• (00:49:23) - Widespread stigma around child sexual abuse
• (00:52:55) - What silences men from speaking about child sexual abuse?
• (01:02:23) - Stronger Stories

The National Redress Scheme was established after the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sex Abuse recommended setting up a less traumatic, non-adversarial alternative to seeking compensation through the courts. Redress consists of three things: a monetary payment, access to counselling, and an opportunity to receive an apology from the institution, called a Direct Personal Response.

This ‘How-To’ explainer features a personal story from a survivor who sought redress through the National Redress Scheme. We'll also hear reflections from a former Royal Commissioner, a legal expert, redress support service workers, and a counsellor. This episode is specifically designed to help potential applicants (and their supporters) understand the scheme, its benefits, how to access it, and what they might be able to expect from the experience.

Originally completed in 2021, this episode was updated in June 2024 to reflect recent legislative changes intended to improve the Redress Scheme.

Featuring (in order of appearance): Tony Daly, Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald AM, Prue Gregory OAM (SAMSN’s Policy, Advocacy & Stakeholder Relations Manager), Rachel Neil (Principal Lawyer, Knowmore Legal Service), David (SAMSN planned support worker), Gill (SAMSN counsellor).

Thanks to:
The National Redress Scheme https://www.nationalredress.gov.au/
knowmore legal service https://knowmore.org.au

Music: Licensed via Audiio.com
TONY / FELICITY / ROB - Julep House: Wanted Man
CLOSING CREDITS - Seth Öphengon: A Safe Place (Instrumental)

Male survivors often try to forget or bury their experiences of abuse and use a range of strategies to block out the memories and feelings. These can look like drug and alcohol use, gambling, workaholism, and sex addictions… but frequently, they don't make the link between what happened to them as children or young guys, and their current ways of managing their life.

The tactics that abusers use mean that survivors often carry heavy legacies, like being made to feel complicit and responsible for aspects of the abuse, and being forced to keep the abuse secret in order to protect others. This often results in feelings of powerlessness, anger, shame and self-blame.

Managing these burdens requires - in the words of psychologists Sophie Reid and Jace Cannon Brookes - “ingenious survival”. The survivors in this episode share some of their survival strategies.

Featuring (in order of appearance): Shane Greentree (SAMSN), Adam S, Matthew O, Ryan C, Lindsay G, Clinical Psychologists Jace Cannon-Brooks & Sophie Reid (Birchtree Centre), Phillip S, Jarad G, Janet, Les S, Martin W, Craig Hughes-Cashmore (SAMSN, MD/CEO), Rae Boxwell (SAMSN, Counsellor), Brett Pickard (SAMSN, Eight-week Support Group facilitator), Pete R.

Resources for survivors:

https://www.samsn.org.au/recovery-and-healing/resources-for-survivors/

Thanks to:

All our wonderful interviewees!
Rob Carlton and Felicity Blake
Jace Cannon-Brooks & Sophie Reid, Birchtree Centre
Peter Bolam
And The National Redress Scheme

Music: Licensed via Audiio.com

• SHANE - Sebastian Kauderer: Stay With Me (Instrumental)
• ADAM, MATTHEW, RYAN - Matthew Wright: Theme
• JANET - Richard Smithson: Sometimes I Don't Know Who I Am
• MARTIN - The Future Reality: Iridescent
• MARTIN - Marshall Usinger: Everything We Hoped For
• AD / RIC HERBERT - Sebastian Kauderer: Two Big Reasons
• LINDSAY, ADAM, LES, RYAN, PHIL (CLOSING) - Kevin Bean: Willow
• CLOSING CREDITS - Seth Öphengon: A Safe Place (Instrumental)

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (2013 - 2017) was established by the Commonwealth government to inquire into and report on responses by institutions (such as churches, schools, sporting groups and out-of-home care) to instances and allegations of child sexual abuse in Australia.

To be abused by someone who has authority over you causes unique impacts for men. A significant number of child sexual abuse survivors are abused outside the home by male authority figures working in trusted institutions, such as religious leaders, teachers or coaches. These figures were often role models. When survivors tried to disclose or report to authority figures they were often disbelieved, re-traumatised and sometimes re-abused. This abuse of power by perpetrators and institutions with authority has caused significant long-term harm, including fear, distrust, avoidance and sometimes hatred of authority that can lead to clashes with teachers, bosses and those in positions of power. This sets many men on a life course leading to denied opportunities, failure to achieve, and clashes with authority figures.

This episode shares some personal experiences of engagement with the Commission, as survivors spoke out to the community (often for the first time) about their abuse, their quest to be heard, and pursuit of justice and redress from the institution in which they were abused.

Featuring (in order of appearance): Lindsay G, Journalist Philippa McDonald, Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald AM, Professor Rita Shackel, Dr Judy Cashmore, Sheridan, Pete R.

Thanks to: Ric Herbert and Pearl Herbert for our ad

Music: Licensed via Audiio.com

• LINDSAY - Farewell (Instrumental)
• AD / RIC HERBERT - Sebastian Kauderer: Two Big Reasons (Instrumental)
• PHILIPPA - Centre of the Sea: Condolences (Instrumental)
• PETE / FELICITY - Outland: Footprints (Instrumental)
• PHILIPPA - Sebastian Kauderer: Saving Carl
• CLOSING CREDITS - Seth Öphengon: A Safe Place (Instrumental)

Child sexual abuse is a crime. What does criminal justice and punishment look like in the legal system? What is it like for survivors - or in this context, “victims” - to pursue criminal justice for sexual crimes against them? The second instalment of our two-part Justice episode shares direct personal experiences from two survivors: Adam and Jarad, with some insights from Professor Patrick O’Leary, Professor Rita Shackel, and Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald.

Featuring (in order of appearance): Adam S, Professor Patrick O’Leary, Professor Rita Shackel, Jarad G, and Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald AM.

Music: Licensed via Audiio.com

• ROB / OPENER - CAPE: Mandela Vs De Klerk
• ADAM / FELICITY - Ivan Grigorashchuk: Rain
• JARAD - Outland: The Scientist's Daughter
• CLOSING CREDITS - Seth Öphengon: A Safe Place (Instrumental)

Child sexual abuse is a crime. What does criminal justice and punishment look like in the legal system? What is it like for survivors - or in this context, “victims” - to pursue criminal justice for the sexual crimes perpetrated against them?

The findings of the Royal Commission’s public hearing into the Criminal Justice System revealed confronting and problematic issues for survivors in accessing justice. Sometimes a personal sense of crime and punishment just doesn’t line up with the complexities, biases and pitfalls of the criminal legal system, leaving both victims and the public with the sickening impression that perpetrators “get away with it”. The necessity for changes to both reporting and prosecution which better serve the victims has now been acknowledged; we’ll hear from survivors and advocates about the way forward, and what needs to change.

Featuring (in order of appearance): Jarad G, Mark C, Craig Hughes-Cashmore (SAMSN MD/CEO), Dr Judy Cashmore, Adam S, Professor Patrick O’Leary, Professor Rita Shackel, Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald AM.

Mentioned in the episode: Caroline Taylor’s book ‘Surviving the Legal System’

Music: Licensed via Audiio.com

• CRAIG / OPENER - The Brilliance: Violent Loving
• MARK - J Scott Rakozy: Memories Adrift
• CLOSING CREDITS - Seth Öphengon: A Safe Place (Instrumental)

When someone trusts you with the knowledge of their abuse, how you react can have profound consequences and implications for their recovery. What are some helpful ways to respond to a disclosure?

A survivor's recovery journey can be greatly assisted by the care they receive from family, friends and other supporters… but this can be challenging at times for those close to a survivor.

It’s important to get the balance right in understanding and supporting a survivor, and attending to your own needs. In this episode we hear from partners and daughters about their journey with survivors on their path to recovery.

Featuring (in order of appearance): Janet, Missy, Tracy, Louise, Matthew O, Sheridan, Raelene Boxwell (SAMSN, Counsellor).

Resources for supporters:
https://www.samsn.org.au/resources-for-supporters/

Music: Licensed via Audiio.com

• OPENING / JANET - Matthew L. Fisher: The Hand Of A Child (Instrumental)
• TRACY & MATTHEW - Kevin Bean: Light Beneath Us
• JANET & MISSY - Nova: Glowing Lights (Instrumental)
• JANET - Ambient Endeavors: Ten Thirty One (Instrumental)

The gender myths surrounding masculinity are often an obstacle to recovery for male survivors of child sexual abuse. Our society presents us with repetitive reinforcements of how men are supposed to look and act, especially with regard to emotional range and sexual intimacy. Those who don't fit the prevailing stereotypes for 'white male privilege' often face additional challenges. Men from First Nations, culturally diverse, or LGBTQI communities, men with disabilities and older men report that they often face additional discrimination and prejudice on top of the burdens of not conforming to dominant expectations about masculinity.

Strong messages like 'don't be a victim, be strong, don't show emotion, harden up, you should have been able to fight it off, boys don't cry…’ are still alive and well. What did survivors of child sexual abuse learn about masculinity myths that enabled them to unlock a new way of looking at life, manhood and themselves?

Featuring (in order of appearance): Mark W, Shane Greentree (SAMSN, Clinical Services Manager), Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald AM, Pete R, Phillip S, Professor Patrick O’Leary, Dr Judy Cashmore, Les S, Matthew O, Jarad G, Lindsay G.

Resources for survivors:

https://www.samsn.org.au/recovery-and-healing/resources-for-survivors/

Thanks to: Joe Jackson [http://joejackson.com/] and Maine Road Management for permission to quote the lyrics from Joe’s song ‘Real Men’.

Music: Licensed via Audiio.com

• OPENING / MARK W - Julep House: Mentoring
• LES - Ardie Son: Long Live the Sky Creatures: Folklore
• LINDSAY - Seth Öphengon: Waking Life
• CLOSING CREDITS - Seth Öphengon: A Safe Place (Instrumental)