Our February Newsletter

Hello fellow survivors and supporters,

We hope you were able to enjoy a restful break over the holiday period and that the year has begun gently for you.

In this month’s newsletter, we share several important updates. We warmly welcome a new member to our Board, reflect on the expansion of Keeping Kids Safe into early childhood education centres nationwide, and highlight research that reinforces why prevention and early intervention matter so deeply.

As always, our work is grounded in belief, compassion, and the understanding that no one should have to carry their story alone. We hope you find reassurance, clarity, and strength in the updates we share.

With love and light,
Handing the Shame Back team

Welcoming Melody Mobsby to Our Board

We at Handing the Shame Back are thrilled to welcome Melody Mobsby to our Board. With her wealth of experience and strategic approach, we will benefit greatly from having her as part of the team.

Melody is the Chief Executive of Auckland Foundation and believes in the power of philanthropy to create meaningful change for both communities and those who give. With a focus on creating positive, lasting impact, Melody works with organisations across the for-purpose sector to support meaningful social change. She brings extensive executive and governance experience in the not-for-profit space, alongside senior leadership experience in the private sector with a diverse background in education, marketing, social sciences and finance. She is committed to supporting work that helps prevent child sexual abuse, amplifies survivor voices, and shifts shame toward understanding and healing.

Please join us in welcoming Melody to our team. We are very excited about the plans we have in place for 2026 and beyond.

From Schools to ECE Centres: Expanding Child Safety Education Nationwide

Earlier last year, every school in New Zealand received a free copy of ‘Keeping Kids Safe: A Guide for Parents, Teachers and Others’ to help prevent child sexual abuse.

Now, thanks to the same generous benefactor, this vital resource will also be sent to every early childhood education centre in the country. That’s approximately 4,400 centres supporting nearly 195,000 children under the age of five.

Teachers play a key role in early prevention. With the right tools, they can help protect our youngest from harm.

This is a massive undertaking, but one we are fully committed to. Books are currently being printed and packaged, and distribution will begin as soon as they are ready.

Education + Awareness = Prevention

"Keeping Kids Safe: A Roadmap for Parents, Teachers & Others" has been invaluable as we navigate parenting in the digital age. Through my experience in both ECE and Primary School governance I have heard concerns from many parents how difficult it is to know where to start, and Gloria's book gives clear, practical advice that can be worked into everyday life to keep our most precious taonga - our kids - safe and thriving. Every parent, guardian and teacher should read it.” — Martin Robinson

Former Deputy Chair of Kindergartens Association Aotearoa, September 2023 to 2025

Former Board Chair of He Whānau Manaaki Kindergarten Association, 2021 to October 2025

Help us turn silence into action

With your donation, we can reach more survivors, equip safe adults, and protect our children. Big or small, your gift makes a difference.

AI Becoming ‘Child Sexual Abuse Machine’ Adding to ‘Dangerous’ Record Levels of Online Abuse, IWF Warns

Where is the outcry on this? What is the response? Who is taking responsibility?

The Internet Watch Foundation’s (IWF) latest alert that AI is rapidly becoming a “child sexual abuse machine” is deeply troubling and reminds us that emerging technologies are being weaponised in profoundly harmful ways if safety and ethics aren’t built in from day one.

Last year, the IWF documented a dramatic surge in photo realistic AI-generated child sexual abuse videos, a more than 26,000% year on year increase, contributing to record levels of online child sexual abuse material globally.

👉 Read the article here: AI becoming ‘child sexual abuse machine’ adding to ‘dangerous’ record levels of online abuse, IWF warns

Education, awareness, and early action are our strongest safeguards. Create regular, open conversations so children know they can speak up.

Our Monthly Video Round-Up

Missed our videos over the holiday period? No problem. We have gathered them all below for easy access!

Survivor Interview: John Comerford
John was abused in a catholic school beginning when he was 11 years old. His abuser was a catholic brother who was later found to have been moved by the church from Melbourne to Sydney because of his sexual abuse of boys in his care. The damage he did spanned 3 decades and involved over 100 boys. John has some powerful insights and is both resilient and inspiring.
👉 Watch here

Christmas Panel Discussion
It's that time of year again and we have an exciting panel discussion lined up for you. Meet Ali Mau, Survivor, recent Author and Co-founder of Tika charity. Please welcome Dean Clarkson, Survivor and Founder of the charity Wana, the first male refuge in New Zealand. Together and combined with our own very special Gloria Masters, they will be providing ideas and support to help survivors navigate the Christmas season.
👉 Watch here

Survivor Interview: Alyssa Milligan
Alyssa is an incredible 16-year-old advocate who is wanting to help other students. She was abused when she was 13 years old by a family friend. He was caught by his wife who began calling her names and denigrating her. Her parents believed her, but it was her Church youth leader who went to the police with it. He was charged with the crimes he committed.
👉 Watch here

Survivor Interview: Damien Diver
Damien was abused in 2003 at age of 16 by a family friend while working with him in the school holidays. This was to continue over 2 summers, with the grooming built up over this time impacting both him and his family. The first time it happened Damien’s behaviour changed, and it was to be 16 years before he could talk about what happened to him. What happened next is inspiring, do not miss this survivor story.
👉 Watch here

HTSB Media Spotlight

Latest News

“Safe Adults won't ask children to keep secrets.
Unsafe adults will.”

— Gloria Masters

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