Christian counselor and educator from Nagaland, Areni Tungoe has said that sexual violence against children is a pervasive issue that knows no boundaries, occurring in every country and across all parts of the society.

She was speaking as an international speaker at the 7th Indonesian Association of Psychospiritual Counselors (IAPC) Conference, held from July 1 to 4 in Indonesia. The four-day conference centered on the theme of preventing sexual violence and supporting survivors, with a special focus on women and children.

Delivering a compelling address on the topic: “Care and Counselling for Child Survivors of Sexual Violence,” she noted that the World Health Organization (WHO) defines sexual violence as “any sexual act, unwanted sexual comments or threats of harm, or physical force, by any person regardless of relationship to the victim in any setting, including but not limited to home and work.”

She pointed out that nearly half of sexual abuse cases first occur at age 15 or younger, with 8% of female survivors and 14% of male survivors reporting abuse before age 12. She highlighted several prevention strategies, including promoting social norms that protect against violence, teaching skills to prevent sexual violence, empowering girls and women, creating protective environments, and supporting victims/survivors to lessen harms.

She emphasized the importance of education and strict protocols to identify, prevent, and avoid sexual abuse, particularly since 80% of cases involve perpetrators from the child’s circle of trust.

Tungoe urged for collective action, stating, “Together, church and society can make a profound difference. We must stand together to promote a culture of safety and protection.” She also emphasized on the need for a united effort to create a safe environment for children and prevent sexual abuse.

She stressed on the importance of providing effective care and counseling for survivors of sexual violence. According to her, types of therapy for sexual abuse recovery include eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and play therapy for children.

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Tungoe also stressed on the importance of providing spiritual support to Christian survivors, who may struggle with faith and spirituality in the aftermath of abuse.

The Christian counselor also addressed similar issues related to women while preaching and sharing the importance of mental health at Jakarta International Christian Fellowship during her visit to Indonesia.

Currently, Tungoe is pursuing her PhD at Martin Luther Christian University. She holds an MA in Pastoral Counseling and is a registered and certified counselor. As the founder and proprietor of the Holistic and Counseling Training Center, she serves as a children’s pastor at Kohima Lotha Assembly of God. She is also a board member of the Christian Counsellor Association of India (CCAI), a global network spanning over 20 countries and a recipient of the prestigious Prof. Erika Voight Young Scientist Award.

Tungoe will be among the 50 international speakers at the Church Mental Health Summit on October 10, 2025. This one-day online event will equip churches with practical tools and faith-rooted care to support mental health, featuring over 50 sessions across 5 unique tracks that tackle pressing topics in church care and mental health.

To attend this global online event, interested persons can visit www.churchmentalhealthsummit.com to register for a free pass, granting full access to the summit.