By Pendulum
Gloria Masters is the founder of Handing The Shame Back Foundation, a charity dedicated to supporting adult survivors of child sexual abuse.
As a child Gloria survived 16 years of child sexual abuse, including trafficking. This abuse began with her family, and quickly spread to other groups and gangs. Three years ago, she felt healed enough to help others by publishing her memoir On Angels Wings, and establishing the charity.
Gloria’s work is valued and appreciated overseas, however in New Zealand her work goes mostly unnoticed - it seems that New Zealander’s either don't want to admit child sexual abuse is a big issue (it is), or the powers-that-be do not want this topic to be brought to light. Her podcast, also called Handing The Shame Back, is in 63 countries and has had over 12 million views worldwide.
Child sex trafficking has been occurring in society since time began. This issue is not new. It urgently needs to be brought out into the light to be dealt with, and for the children and adults affected to find a pathway to enable healing.
Abusers must be dealt with.
‘Most good people do nothing because they don’t know what to do.’ - Gloria Masters
Don’t ignore what children do, their behaviour is always telling you something. - Gloria Masters
Gloria is promoting a simple hand signal for children who are being sexually abused, to seek help. Please share her hand sign for children - let’s get people around New Zealand to know about this important hand sign. Practice it as she shares it during our interview and show it to others.
“The shame never belonged to the child.” - Gloria Masters
New Zealand leads the world in suicide, domestic violence, infanticide and child sexual abuse. People who have experienced some form of child abuse are found in:
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