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Andrew's Noble rally to help sex abuse victims Moving Forwards
Despite statistics saying up to one in three males may have been targeted, sexual abuse is not a common topic for men to publicly admit to. Andrew Noble was once no exception to that rule.
As a teenager, Andrew was subjected to repeated sexual abuse by a man working at his school. For more than a decade, Andrew remained silent. He felt isolated by his experiences and felt very much like a victim.
When Andrew, now 27, finally found the courage to report his shocking treatment, he was stunned to discover that he was the first of many other youngsters to report suffering at the hands of the trusted school aide over a 10 year period. Until Andrew brought it to the attention of police, no one had been brave enough to speak out.
Prosecution followed, with Andrew's complaint leading to the successful conviction of the man who assaulted him - and many people he knew, who had all lived in a shameful silence.
This year, during a personal development course, Andrew, now a successful photographer, found the courage to tell his story. For years he had felt people would judge him and even question his masculinity or sexuality because of his experience. What he didn't bank on was the number of people who suddenly felt safe telling him of similar tales of what they, and others close to them, had been through.
Statistics show that as many as one in every two females and one in every three males have been subjected to some form of abuse and Andrew began to see that demonstrated in the number of people sharing their stories with him.
The knowledge that he wasn't alone, or an outcast of society, led to a shift in Andrew's sense of self-worth. He went from feeling like a helpless victim to having a sense of empowerment.
Andrew has chosen to share his story with the aim of increasing community awareness and creating a more open and understanding environment for victims of sexual abuse to have a voice. He believes children should be able to speak out and not feel intimidated by doing so.
Prominent childhood expert Dr Joe Tucci of The Australian Childhood Foundation said that there were more than 265,000 reported cases of child abuse last year alone.
"Child abuse has doubled in the past decade and that research has shown consistently that adults who were abused as children are at greater risk of suicide, self-harm, depression, drug use and alcohol addiction.
"It's a tragic reality that children who are victims of abuse and family violence are robbed of their childhood innocence," Dr Tucci said.
To bring public attention to this often unspoken about issue, Andrew has launched a website www.movingforwards.com.au and organised the Moving Forwards rally held in December 2007.
Anita Narduzzo
President - Royal
Melbourne Hospital Dialysis Support Group.
Anita Narduzzo knows the discomfort dialysis patients endure while awaiting a kidney transplant - she spent nine years having weekly dialysis until a kidney could be found for her.
Two years after she was diagnosed with a kidney disorder, her sister's husband was told he would also need a new kidney. In 1999 both she and her brother-in-law underwent kidney transplants.
With her understanding of the impact of kidney disease, dialysis treatment and the pressures placed on both patients and families, Anita decided to do something to help.
In March 2000 Anita formed the Royal Melbourne Hospital Dialysis Fundraising Group to raise funds for the hospital's Nephrology Department and its affiliated dialysis units. Funds raised are used to help make the restricted lifestyle of dialysis patients more comfortable.
The Group's committee is made up of volunteers who understand the trauma of dialysis, and who wish to enhance the lives of people undergoing dialysis.
The Royal Melbourne Hospital Dialysis Fundraising Group has raised more than $150,000 since it formed. Funds have been distributed to 22 dialysis centres across Victoria and have been used to buy items such as special chairs, ice machines and other items to help make people more comfortable during their treatment.
Fundraising events include an annual fundraising luncheon featuring celebrity chefs such as Gabriel Gate and Elizabeth Chong, a dinner/auction and raffles.
The Royal Melbourne Hospital Dialysis Fundraising Group can be contacted on 0412 339 791 or info@rmhdialysis.org.au
For more information, visit www.rmhdialysis.org.au
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