Video: Men need to talk about their sexual abuse

Pastor Seth Shelley takes us on an emotional and at times difficult journey about male sexual violence. He brings forward his own story of sexual assault to ask men to open up about their personal stories too.

Recorded at TEDxUNBC in Prince George, Seth speaks to an issue common around the world, sexual assault. However, it is men who also need to share their stories of abuse. Far too many men are silent about their own stories of trauma and eventual healing. It is our society’s ideas around masculinity which prevent men from opening up, and steal their narratives from them. Only through sharing with friends and family do we reclaim our stories for ourselves.

Graduating from Summit Pacific Bible College in 2012 with a BA in Religion, Seth has pastored in Western Canada for the past 5 years. Currently he is the Associate Pastor at Timbers Community Church in Prince George, BC where his role is to provide counselling services, preform weddings and funerals, organize events for the community.

Prior to becoming a pastor, Seth spent 5 seasons as a forest firefighter in Alberta, working on ranches, and as a surveyor for the mountain pine beetle project.

In these experiences he gained a love for the outdoors and adventure.

When he is not working Seth loves to spend time with his wife and 4 children exploring the outdoors, cross country skiing, canoeing, or just sitting by the fire.