GUEST SPEAKER - Norma Josephs - ASeTTS (Association for Services To Torture and Trauma Survivors)

ASeTTS has over 2,000 clients each year and each person has a dramatic story of torture or trauma to relate. Unfortunately many things are not spoken about and Norma likened their experience to that of someone trying to keep a beach ball submersed below water.

A counsellor/advocate model is taught to clients - to work with their own abilities. This is coupled with psychological assessment and counselling “to put their souls back into their bodies”.

ASeTTS also works with communities at their own levels.

A National body assists ASeTTS to maintain standards and funding. This keeps a quality service in place.Specialist sevices include aged care plus children and adolescents.Branch offices have been created in Girrawheen and Fremantle.

ASeTTS ahave established an Enrichment Fund to assist those clients without access to Government support to further their education by way of scholarships. The fund has been established in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Heirisson.  Norma thanked Heirisson for its support and looks forward to more involvement with the Club particularly in the development of a selection process for applicants to the Enrichment Fund.

Udo Schutze, Akram Sabbagh and Judith Morrisey  have all assisted with ASeTTS.