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Download the thesis - South Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault

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1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS<br />

Unlike most of <strong>the</strong> participants in this project, I was very fortunate to be born into and<br />

raised in a family where parents properly cared for <strong>the</strong>ir children. Mine were parents<br />

who first loved each o<strong>the</strong>r, and <strong>the</strong>n loved, taught, guided and supported us. My<br />

mo<strong>the</strong>r, in her steadfastness, steered and loved us in so many ways that, at <strong>the</strong> time,<br />

seemed utterly ordinary. Her mo<strong>the</strong>ring would have been extraordinary for most of<br />

<strong>the</strong> women who joined me in this research. I now see that for us it was too. My<br />

fa<strong>the</strong>r died just before I began this <strong>the</strong>sis, before I learned from a different perspective<br />

what it was to have as my fa<strong>the</strong>r this man of unfathomable integrity and so many<br />

o<strong>the</strong>r remarkable qualities.<br />

For many years, I have well understood how such a start in life, and <strong>the</strong> continuing<br />

closeness of our family, nurtures each of us, our partners and <strong>the</strong> subsequent<br />

generations.<br />

My sincere thanks are given to Carolyn Worth, Manager of SECASA, <strong>the</strong> <strong>South</strong> <strong>Eastern</strong><br />

<strong>Centre</strong> for <strong>Sexual</strong> Abuse. Carolyn is an exceptional leader whose first and continuing<br />

response to this project has been positive and open. SECASA counsellors Mary Mass,<br />

Mary Martin, Dagmar Jenkins, Robyn Breheny, Emma Spence, Tanya Nash and Chrissie<br />

Ryan not only supported <strong>the</strong> women participants with great care, <strong>the</strong>y shared <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

wisdom and knowledge with me. Their contributions are very gratefully acknowledged.<br />

These and many o<strong>the</strong>r SECASA counsellors, particularly Gwendoline Hanson, Sallyann<br />

Kempler and Susan McDougall, supported <strong>the</strong> project by referring participants,<br />

encouraging clients to first come and <strong>the</strong>n stay with <strong>the</strong> project, and by offering <strong>the</strong><br />

clients and me advice and help. It was a privilege to work with this organisation and<br />

<strong>the</strong> many fine people within it.<br />

I am indebted to <strong>the</strong> women who supported this project as participants. Their<br />

openheartedness, generosity and kindness belie <strong>the</strong> experiences that brought <strong>the</strong>m to<br />

<strong>the</strong> project. Their beautiful artwork is testament to <strong>the</strong>ir capacity for love and work.<br />

Not only did <strong>the</strong>y share <strong>the</strong>ir experiences with me, <strong>the</strong>y did so in <strong>the</strong> hope that <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

participation would also contribute to a better life for o<strong>the</strong>rs who share a similar<br />

experience. I thank each and every one from <strong>the</strong> bottom of my heart: Melissa Manuel,<br />

6

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