Workshop studies child abuse

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A small gathering of women met in Calgary last week to discuss a painful, and at times embarrassing subject, sexual child abuse.

The workshop, organized by Gillian Shumski, a doctoral student at the University of Calgary, is being funded by Alberta Native Womens Association (ANWA) and is the first of its kind ever held for Native women.

Shumski explained the problem to the women and pointed out that her thesis could prove to be the basis of future funding for reserve and settlement treatment centres for women and children who have been abused.

"This kind of abuse cuts through the barriers of race, class and social standards. Anyone can become a child molester and anyone can be molested," Shumski told the group.

Until this study, social welfare agents were forced to rely on data gathered in the non-Native sector. However, when Shumbski finalizes her project, in May or June of this year, new data based on actual experience of Native women, both on and off the reserve will be available.

For the past year or so Shumski has been making a tour of Alberta's reserves and settlements and interviewing women about their childhood.

However, Shumski wants to make it clear that she wants to interview a cross-section of Alberta's Native women; those who have had bad childhood experiences as well as those who have come from a good home.

"We want to find out what goes wrong in a family situation to make these kinds of things happen. That's why we also want to hear happy stories to find out how to prevent the bad situations from happening," she said.

Shumski is currently interviewing women in her Calgary office at the YMCS at 320-5th Avenue S.E. and is holding a series of workshops and meetings with Native women in the surrounding reserves and Metis Locals.

Shumski, who is a psychologist, conducts the interview and provides assistance and counselling when necessary.

The interviews and the names are kept confidential. The interviews are open to any Native women 18 years and older and each person receives $15.00 for expenses.

If you feel you would like to participate, Shumski requests you phone the Calgary YMCA at 263-1550 and ask for an appointment. You do not need to leave your name.