Award-winning service
Richard Brewer has a vast work history, and speaks with humour of the many roles he’s taken on. But the one he is most proud of is the one that bridges his personal experience and his professional endeavours.
Richard, who lives in Lower Hutt, speaks openly of his experience of sexual harm, both as a child and an adult. Each time, like many survivors, he wasn’t believed - he was ignored and silenced. When it all got too much to bear, he attempted suicide and was admitted to a psychiatric ward.
Following his release, he was shocked and disappointed to discover there was little or no support for male survivors. That moment became a catalyst for Richard, because he knew this was not something he could do alone. So he set out to create his own support network, and in doing so, he developed a drive for equity and supporting survivors. It became his life’s work, and The Road Forward was founded in 2015.
We asked Richard if there was a point in his life where he knew he’d gone from victim, to survivor, to thriver. He says there was no single “Aha” moment - rather, from the very first peer support group he attended, he felt he was on the right track. Feeling hope, and seeing others feel that hope too, was an important step for Richard, but it was some time later when he realised his life had changed, and he was not just a survivor, he was a ‘thriver’.
Knowing how that feels, he is passionate about passing the same insight, hope and encouragement on to others. Having recently stepped back from managing The Road Forward, Richard continues to work as a peer worker, so he can keep supporting others through their own life changes.
His work in the field of peer support continues to be relevant and vital, and recently at a conference in Nelson he was awarded a pounamu in recognition of his achievements.
“It’s incredibly beneficial for adult survivors of sexual harm to share their experiences with others who have similar experiences, so they know they’re not alone,” Richard says. “We allow people to break their silence and find their voice, then to walk beside each other, and to respect and learn from each other, all within a safe space – that’s what peer support is all about.”
Congratulations
Richard Brewer – Regional Manager
If you or anyone you know is looking for support, please reach out to The Road Forward, for services to survivors of sexual harm. Our services include one-to-one peer support, weekly peer support groups, socialization events, whanau support, and advocacy including help working with WINZ, GPs, Counselling, the Police and Justice system.