Illuminating Silence Documentary – The Gatehouse The Gatehouse is pleased to announce that Illuminating Silence, the documentary film we have all been working on over the past couple of years is now available online. This powerful film depicts the courage, strength, and resilience of childhood sexual abuse survivors. Thank you to Producer/Director James Buffin, Vertius Pictures for his immense support, vision and dedication to this project. Illuminating Silence Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/124580911 Listen to Personal Transformation web radio host Stewart Thompson as he interviews filmmaker, James Buffin, as they talk about Illuminating Silence at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/personaltransformation/2016/07/21/release-o… We’d like to take this opportunity to once again, express our sincerest gratitude to all of the film’s participants, contributors, volunteers and film crew for their wonderful work, energy, courage, resiliency and strength. Please share the link widely. Additionally, James Buffin is also working on another film, Picking Trauma’s Pocket. For more information visit http://ptpthefilm.com/ Thank you for your support. The Gatehouse

We are very excited to announce that Stewart Thompson, Gatehouse Volunteer Facilitator has won a Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers, Stewart has been volunteering with The Gatehouse since 2011 as a Volunteer Facilitator and also over the past two years, he has hosted Personal Transformation web radio show for survivors of childhood sexual abuse: www.blogtalkradio.com/personaltransformation Stewart has dedicated countless hours to helping other survivors in building on their capacities to heal and transform their lives. We are truly grateful to Stewart and the wonderful team of over 100 volunteers that help The Gatehouse year after year!  Keep up the great work Stewart, you are truly an inspiration to many. #award #ibreakthesilence #winner #SovereignsMedalforvolunteers

Deb Maybury’s  Unlock The Door illuminates thirty-nine stories of personal strength, courage and resiliency. The author vividly captures the traumatic and lifelong effects of sexual abuse in her in-depth interviews. Deb Maybury is an author, entrepreneur, Holistic Self Defense Black Sash and Gatehouse Volunteer Facilitator. The way to begin resolving trauma is to talk about it, to bring it to the light of day. As one of the contributors in Unlock The Door states, “When one person’s words flow and another person listens, magic happens.” In this book people speak and we, the readers, listen. And we must listen. Gabor Maté M.D. The main theme in the book is the focus on healing and moving beyond victimization as well as educating others about this devastating social issue. Survivors of sexual abuse often feel isolated and alone, Unlock The Door gives a voice to those who have not yet spoken, by allowing us to remember that we are not alone. Karen, Survivor. Unlock the Door provides readers with a courageous, candid and unflinching account of the heart-wrenching lived experience of child abuse. Through sharing her own and others’ stories, Deb Maybury provides validation and hope to survivors whose lives, through no fault of their own, have been shaken body and soul. Her writing is terse, her point sharp and abundantly clear. Victims need a justice system that better serves their needs and more services capable of supporting their journey to wellness. Dr. Fred Matthews, psychologist. Thirty-nine contributors-1000 years of experience. Interviews, stories, and poems. The topics include Family Secrets, Trusted Others, To Punish-To Protect, A Time To Heal and Advocacy. Purchase your copy here

Hello everyone. I just this moment found myself thinking of you; sort of just being present with all that you have created over your time with the Gatehouse, and reflecting on how there are so many injustices in the world, and then HERE YOU ARE, people who give of their time to help people they may never ever meet; what an absolutely beautiful gift you are in this world. Because of you, whatever your connection is to the Gatehouse-volunteer facilitator, group participant, funding partner, board member, student placement, someone who is just now reaching out to the gatehouse, you are creating a space for people to find their voice and truly begin a journey of self-discovery in ways that many people never thought possible. Because of you people who have been silenced in some instances for decades are now speaking from a stance of wondrous strength; you have given rise to artists, poets, authors, facilitators, film-makers, people who are now creating their own organizations of support, you are creating ways for people to in a most subtle but profound way move out of darkness into a place of true healing. I want to thank you for your spirit, your empathy, your time, your smile, the way you extend your hand to one other human being. But most deeply, I just want to thank you for being you and for being here. With deep affection Arthur Lockhart

April 20, 2015 10am – Transforming Trauma to Triumph – The Toronto Police Services Board Brings Relief to Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse at The Gatehouse Dr. Alok Mukherjee presented the $150,000 donation cheque to Gatehouse Executive Director, Brad Hutchinson.  A message of congratulations from Premier Kathleen Wynn was read to volunteers, members and staff who joined the celebration.  Author, Deb Maybury shared her insights into the meaning and importance of the transformational work that The Gatehouse is leading in supporting survivors of childhood sexual abuse. The numbers are disturbing – Child abuse affects nearly a third of Canadian adults. 1 in 3 females and 1 in 6 males in Canada experience some form of sexual abuse before the age of 18. The Gatehouse, the only house of its kind in Canada, provides a community response to child abuse that facilitates healing, recovery and prevention. It is a safe place for children to disclose abuse to police and social workers, as well as a support network for adult survivors and whole families of CSA.  As a part of the healing process it offers a comforting healing atmosphere that references transformative learning and healing processes, including: meditation, neuroplasticity, a healing garden and many more strategies beyond the conventional to transform trauma into triumph. Thank you all for your support!

The Gatehouse would like to thank the Ontario Trillium Foundation for generously supporting our Adult Partners Support Group Program, 2014-2016.  For more information about how the Ontario Trillium Foundation visit http://otf.ca/