Craig Hughes-Cashmore
Company: Survivors & Mates Support Network (SAMSN)
Professional Background and Role
Craig Hughes-Cashmore is the CEO and co-founder of the Survivors & Mates Support Network (SAMSN), a not-for-profit charity based in New South Wales, Australia. Craig's professional journey is deeply intertwined with his personal experiences, as he himself is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. This personal history has significantly influenced his advocacy and leadership roles within SAMSN and beyond.
Key Responsibilities and Achievements
- Leadership Role: As CEO, Craig leads the strategic direction and operational management of SAMSN. Under his leadership, SAMSN has grown to become Australia's leading organization dedicated to male survivors of child sexual abuse and their supporters.
- Advisory Roles: Craig has been appointed as a Community Member on the Victims Advisory Board by the Attorney General of NSW and sits on the NSW Sentencing Council. Additionally, he is a member of:
- Suicide Prevention Australia's Lived Experience Panel
- National Memorial Advisory Group (Commonwealth Govt)
- Expert Advisory Group for the Prevention and Response to Violence, Abuse, and Neglect (NSW Health)
- Transforming Justice Australia's Expert Advisory Panel
- Australian Centre for Child Protection’s Lived Experience Advisory Panel
Previous Appointments
- Board Member: Knowmore Legal Service
- Prime Minister’s Reference Group: For the National Apology to Victims and Survivors of Institutional Child Sexual Abuse (delivered October 2018)
- NSW Sexual Assault Expert Group (NSW Health)
- Safeguarding Council (Diocese of Parramatta)
- Survivor & Faith Group Child Safe Standing Committee (NSW Ombudsman)
International Engagement
In 2022, Craig was awarded a Churchill Fellowship, which allowed him to travel to the US, England, Ireland, and Spain to research best practices and support models for assisting male survivors of child sexual abuse.
Professional Insights and Activities
Craig is active on professional networking platforms such as LinkedIn, where he frequently shares insights and updates related to his work with SAMSN. Notable posts include:
- Promotion of Peer Support and Workshops: Craig regularly promotes workshops and programs designed to support male survivors of child sexual abuse, emphasizing peer support mechanisms.
- Advocacy and Awareness: Craig uses his platform to raise awareness about the challenges faced by survivors and the importance of creating supportive environments.
Contact and Network
For deeper engagement with Craig Hughes-Cashmore and insights into his professional activities, you can follow him on:
- [Twitter](https://twitter.com/craighugcash)
Craig's extensive network and his prominent role in influencing policy and support services make him a key figure in advocacy for male survivors of child sexual abuse. His leadership at SAMSN is driven by a commitment to improving support systems and creating a safe space for survivors to find understanding and assistance.
