The NATIONAL CENTRE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS IN MENTAL HEALTH wishes to let people know about a new research project that it has begun called: THE BREAKING THE SURFACE PROJECT 'only by breaking the surface can we see the truth' The Breaking Surface Project is looking at the treatment of and experiences of male survivors of sexual assault, incest and child abuse within the mental health system. This includes men who have been sexually abused whilst in the mental health system by mental health workers and other patients. The main aims of the research is to find out whether the mental health system is meeting the needs and concerns of male survivors of sexual abuse. Secondly, whether mental health professionals are protecting and upholding their human rights, such as the right to be cared for free of abuse and neglect whilst in the mental health system. The research will be focusing on a number of issues including: * how mental health workers respond to men when they tell them they have been sexually abused * what (if any) support/counselling is given to male survivors by mental health workers? * whether men are believed by mental health workers when they disclose that they have been sexually abused? * the extent to which males are sexually abused within the mental health system? Anyone who participates in this research will have their confidentiality protected, their name will not be used at any time and they will remain anonymous in the final written research report. Furthermore, they will have the right to: stop their interview at anytime if they find it too difficult to go on, have a support person present during the interview and also be able to edit their interview afterwards if they so wish. In addition, follow up free counselling by a social worker will be provided after the interview for as long as a person wants. If you are interested in being interviewed for this research or would like more information please give Kon a call on (03) 9689 5075. Warm Regards Kon Karapanagiotidis Director NATIONAL CENTRE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS IN MENTAL HEALTH
