One would imagine recovering from childhood sexual abuse is a difficult thing. It might take decades, or even a lifetime, to recover, even if help is available to the survivor.
But to come out publicly and declare oneself a survivor in an effort to help others must be even harder.
Which is why Trevor Kasteel should be commended and praised for his courage.
Our Feb. 28 edition of Yellowknifer reported that Kasteel, a prominent businessman and former city councillor, was starting a support group called Healing the North.
As part of his efforts to help survivors, Kasteel shared his own story of abuse at the hands of a family friend, entrusted to take care of him after the death of his father.
Kasteel could have easily kept his traumatic story to himself but he didn’t. And in sharing his story, he’s helping both himself and his community.
Talking about his childhood experiences has been cathartic, he told Yellowknifer.
“You’re finally able to process it, and finally release it,” he said.
His courage is an example but it should also be a wake up call. It should act as a reminder that we have to lift the silence surrounding abuse because it happens here in the North more than anywhere else in the country.
In 2012, the prevalence of police-reported sexual offences against children were highest in the territories, according to Statistics Canada, with the Northwest Territories at 895 cases per 100,000. The highest rate provincially is in Manitoba at 316 per 100,000 children.
With the NWT's shockingly high abuse rate, there can be little wonder the North also experiences the highest suicide rate in the country.
No one should feel an ounce of joy at these figures. These crimes are certainly even more prevalent than those reported to police. Precise statistics on just how many people are abused are not easy to come by because many survivors never tell a soul about the abuse.
Maybe it’s because childhood sexual assault is such an insidious thing involving broken trust with our most sacred relationships. The perpetrator is often an adult in authority — a teacher, a coach, a spiritual leader, or – in Kasteel’s case – a family friend.
The truths of these experiences are often the hardest things people will ever have to confront but society needs to accept that childhood sexual abuse is happening. The honesty Kasteel has shown could be a first step in lifting the veil of secrecy and shame facing the most vulnerable members of our communities.
Healing the North is open to anyone suffering from addiction, trauma or mental health issues. Meetings are being held the last Thursday of every month at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre from 6 to 9 p.m. Mental health professionals will be available for all participants.