October 12, 2023
Polly Podcast Network
with Polly Gillespie
Gloria’s harrowing journey through child sexual abuse and trafficking:
Speaking Out
A simple Hand signal A way for children to show they are being abused/not safe
HTSB HAND Signal for Under 16’s
#handsign4kids
On June 16 2023, Gloria released the hand signal for Under 16’s to use if they are being abused/not safe This has already been adopted and applied. One woman in the US observed a girl of about 11 using the signal and phoned the police, got some help and saved the girl who was being trafficked!
Gloria saw the signal as one way to equip children, should they be in a sexually abusive or a harmful situation. As she herself survived 16 years of child sex trafficking, she is passionate about this simple, yet powerful hand signal.
“I wish I’d had a hand signal when I was a kid, it just may have saved me” she says.
NB This signal originally stems from a women’s group in the US, advocating against domestic violence
Gloria’s charity Handing The Shame Back Foundation provides the following resources
Books by Gloria Masters
Media Interviews
September 27, 2023
NZ Loyal
with Liz Gunn
Gloria Masters on the Sound of Freedom for our Kiwi Children
September 22, 2023
What Came Next
Gloria shares her horrific, childhood experiences as a trafficked sex slave.
Blogs
My blogs are designed to offer some techniques to try, as you navigate your way through post traumatic stress.
You are never alone on this journey.
I stand with you.
20 November, 2023
20 October, 2023
20 September, 2023
Blog - audio versions
Having Someone
Survivors,
Having someone who stands by you and supports you is gold.
The feeling it evokes when that person has your back, is almost indescribable.
For some of us it happens easily, for others it can take years to find because of the trust.
Trust is huge for us - trusting anyone will be an issue. Exposing that silence is difficult, as it is so much more than just words; it breaks the cycle and awakens deeply buried fears.
Please just know that having someone means you are healing and on your way to more peace and love in your life, is powerful.Go to our website (see below) for more information on our foundation
Donate please, this helps us keep going.
If you are looking for coaching whether survivor or supporter. https://www.handingtheshameback.org/
#childhoodsexualabuse #survivorofsexualabuse #survivorsupport
#survivors #ibelievesurvivors #handingtheshameback #handsign4kids
Silence
Survivors, Silence has been used against us in destructive and manipulative ways, mainly to keep us silent and therefore the secret, hidden and buried.
Did you know that silence is available to us to use as well?
We can use it in conversation with people who struggle to hear our stories, or who minimise them when they.
Instead of justifying ourselves, lets just use silence as our response..
It is powerful.
Go to our website (see below) for more information on our foundation
If you are looking for coaching whether survivor or supporter. https://www.handingtheshameback.org/
#childhoodsexualabuse #survivorofsexualabuse #survivorsupport
#survivors #ibelievesurvivors #handingtheshameback #handsign4kids
Justifying
All too often as survivors we find ourselves justifying what happened, over explaining, compensating, rationalising and defending our position.
Stop doing that.
We don't owe anything to anyone, the abusers are the ones that should be doing this. Its important to realise our over explaining is just our wounded child needing validation, and we need to hold our heads up high and hold our power.
Go to our website (see below) for more information on our foundation
If you are looking for coaching whether survivor or supporter. https://www.handingtheshameback.org/
#childhoodsexualabuse #survivorofsexualabuse #survivorsupport
#survivors #ibelievesurvivors #handingtheshameback #handsign4kids
If you need help
If you or anyone you know is struggling to deal with child sexual abuse, the following providers can offer support in your region:
New Zealand
Handingtheshameback.org Provides support through sharing information and survivor stories
ACC Counselling and therapy. For free confidential sessions contact ACC Sensitive Claims Unit, 0800 101 996
Safe to Talk Sexual Harm Helpline, 0800 044 334 or Text 4334, [email protected]
Help Auckland 0800 623 1700
The Harbour Online support and information for people affected by sexual abuse.
Male Survivors Aotearoa Helplines across NZ, click to find out more (males only).
USA
RAINN is the largest US support agency for adult survivors of child sexual abuse
United Kingdom
NAPAK – Supporting recovery from childhood abuse
Maggie Oliver Foundation – Helping survivors of abuse
Australia
Blue Knot Foundation – advocate for and provide support to people who have experiences of complex trauma, and those who support them, personally and professionally.