Child Abuse Monument

03/26/2025

12/15/2020

https://www.muskokaregion.com/community-story/10275753--people-are-driving-for-miles-to-see-massive-monument-in-muskoka-lakes-township/

A massive work of art has made an unlikely journey from Toronto to the small community of Hekkla in Muskoka Lakes and is making people all over the region stop and stare.

12/15/2020

https://www.muskokaregion.com/community-story/10275753--people-are-driving-for-miles-to-see-massive-monument-in-muskoka-lakes-township/

Healing, validation and inspiration are found at the Child Abuse Survivor Monument Web Site.

05/14/2016

Toronto storm falls massive tree on Child Abuse Monument that Dr. Irving and his family and team are trying to donate to Province of Ontario. A number of times over the years Premier Catherine Wynne has stated "It is a no-brainer" for the Province to accept the donation and that the "Reaching Out: Child Abuse Monument" belongs in the area of Queens Park. After so many years, what will it take for her to finally make this happen?

What are your thoughts?

10/08/2015

I received a note today about what I have been looking into on the connection between a history of child sexual abuse and the risk of a heart attack.

The recent early research resulting in the preliminary statistics of female survivors of sexual abuse having a 60 percent higher rate of heart attack and male survivors being 3 times more likely to have a heart attack than their peers gives scientific support for what seems quite intuitive.

Directly following my heart attack and stroke I thought, and people close to me commented that my heart disease was, in part, a result of a broken heart from my history of severe child abuse. Further to the direct wound in the heart, coping with the depression, anxiety, numbing, overwhelm and stress of a history of child abuse led to poor choices and behaviors in a variety of areas that contribute to heart disease.

Heart attacks are the number one killer for Canadians and Americans, more than all forms of cancer combined. As survivors reach into their 40s, 50s and 60s their risk of early death from a heart attack is going to be quite significant. My own heart attack led me to taking this risk quite seriously.

Following my work on the Child Abuse Monument, www.childabusemonument.com , I am now focusing on the dis-ease of the "Heart" that contributes to heart disease. My work, in part, is with post cardiac event clients and survivors of child abuse and PTSD who are at a higher risk of heart disease.

Because of my personal history, academic training, professional work and my social action art work in serving survivors of child abuse I have a particular desire to help reverse the dis-ease of the heart that places child abuse survivors at risk of a fatal heart attack or stroke.

Heart disease is preventable in 95% of cases and even severe heart disease is reverseable. Early death by a heart attack does not need to be a secondary victimization for being betrayed and harmed when one was young and innocent.

My passion is on looking at all that we mean by "Heart" and opening up the importance of "Living from the "Heart" to live for the heart. www.HeartWellness.irvingstudios.com

If there is a way I may serve you or any groups you are active with please contact me.

With a Full Heart,
Michael

05/04/2014

Angus Glen Golf and Country Club in Markham was elegantly transformed for this year’s Hand-in-Hand Gala in support of the York Region Abuse Program Saturday night.

About 304 guests enjoyed the annual black-tie event that featured a night of live music by Leah Daniels, a live and silent auction, raffle draws and much more, all in support of the program and its continued efforts to service those in need.

In an effort to raise awareness of the organization, a unique addition was added this year.

An 11-ft. by 13-ft., 4,500-pound Reaching Out child abuse monument — a sculpture designed by psychotherapist and artist Dr. Michael Irving of Toronto — stood at the main entrance as a symbol of healing and support.

Built over a seven-year period beginning in 1995 by Mr. Irving and numerous professional sculptors, the monument is made up of 300 hand-sculpted squares designed by survivors and supporters he met during the process.

“There are a lot of war monuments that help people deal with the aftermath. I felt child abuse should have something along the same lines,” said Mr. Irving. “This was not only going to heal child abuse survivors, but the community as well.”

A team from Stadia Glass & Door, with guidance from owner Tim Byrne, generously moved the monument to the event.

“A job that would usually take four hours took us about 11 because of the rain,” said Mr. Byrne. “But we got it here and it looks great sitting out front. That’s all that matters. It’s for such a great cause.”

http://bit.ly/1ncnwaC

York Region

02/26/2014

WE NEED HELP NOW!

A recent Toronto Star article reported that the government of ONTARIO DECLINED THE CHILD ABUSE MONUMENT FOR QUEEN'S PARK.

Metro News: http://bit.ly/1fHeg9j
Toronto Star: http://bit.ly/1kgXKgy CLICK TO

Though the Toronto Star has headlined the Monument as declined the Ministry's current perspective is quite positive and supportive for the Monument. The rejection rationale from Minister Teresa Piruzza, MPP at the Ministry of Children and Youth Services can be viewed as very good for moving forward with donating the "Reaching Out: Child Abuse Monument" for placement at College Street and University Avenue. The Ministry commented positively on the "gesture" of the work.

The fundamental objection of the Minister was: "Due to the high cost of initial and ongoing government funding that would be required to place and maintain your monument on government property, we are unable to provide a location for the monument".

Additionally comment was made that, "the Ministry's priority has to be supporting children and youth in need of care with the most appropriate use of our limited resources for programs and services".

The objections of high initial and ongoing government funding costs seems to not recognize our repeated offer in submitted proposals for us to pay for the substantial costs of the Monument's construction, its placement, site amenities and a long-term care endowment.

Through its effectiveness at healing and education, the Monument itself is a program and service resource. In this manner it benefits the purpose and priorities of the Ministry of supporting children and youth in need. It will do so for centuries without demands on the Government's limited resources.

Moving forward with a positive heart, I expect the Premier and Minister to appreciate the enormous social value and low Government cost to receive and allow the donated gift of the "Reaching Out: Child Abuse Monument to be placed at College Street and University Avenue.

WE NEED HELP NOW! LET YOUR MPP KNOW THAT THE CHILD ABUSE MONUMENT DOES NOT HAVE HIGH INITIAL OR ONGOING COSTS TO THE GOVERNMENT; AND THAT THE MONUMENT HAS ENORMOUS SOCIAL VALUE IN PROGRAM AND SERVICES FOR HEALING AND PREVENTION THE TRAGEDY OF CHILD ABUSE.

ACT NOW! TELL YOUR MPP TO LET PREMIER KATHLEEN WYNNE KNOW THAT SHE IS THE ONE WHO CAN MAKE THE MONUMENT A REALITY AS A RESOURCE OF HEALING AND EDUCATION FOR THE PEOPLE OF ONTARIO.

After spending decades crafting a massive monument to child abuse survivors — with the help of many victims themselves — Michael Irving has been told the government will not place his creation at Queen’s Park. The monument is comprised of…

05/29/2013

Dr. Michael Irving and Phil Sarazen design bike racks on theme of the "Reaching Out" Child Abuse Monument Series.