Incest subject of TV documentary

Press, 15 December 1983, Page 11

Incest subject of TV documentary

Wellington reporter A 50-minute television documentary on incest is being made by the Social Welfare Department and the Mental Health Foundation, helped by a grant of from the J. R. McKenzie Trust. The documentary is being made by Footage Film and Video Productions, Ltd. Its producer-director is Alan Lindsay, who has made health documentaries and dramas previously. He will be helped by Miriam Saphira, whose research into incest has widened public understanding of the problem in New Zealand in recent years. The documentary will be screened in 1984 and is part > of a campaign by the foundation on child sexual abuse. It follows the wording of a remit passed in 1982 at

the first national symposium on child abuse, which said: “That there be an undertaking on the part of the Government and voluntary agencies to increase public awareness of child sexual abuse and its repercussions on individuals and families.” Research indicated that child sexual abuse, including incest, was widespread in New Zealand and that most victims suffered in silence at great cost to their personal well-being and longterm mental health, said the foundation’s director, Dr Max Abbott. Publicity had begun to increase public awareness, but this had yet to manifest itself in tangible treatment and prevention programmes. The foundation had already had a brief item on incest showing in community service television adver-

tising slots, he said. It was hoped that the indepth, 50-minute documentary would grip viewers at a deeper emotional level and generate public concern. However, Dr Abbott criticised the Accident Compensation Corporation for its “disappointing” financial support. “Our reading of the corporation’s act indicates that it clearly has a statutory responsibility to provide financial assistance to rape victims and some categories of incest victims,” he said. “Even more clear-cut is its obligation to mount prevention programmes and assist other organisations working in this area. “Very few victims receive corporation support, and the corporation has declined to recognise its responsibility for preventive efforts,” Dr Abbott said.