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The Sycamore Tree Project
An Introduction...
In September 2005, I entered Acacia Prison with my friend John White and four survivors of significant crime. Three were secondary victims to homicide of a close family member and the fourth was a secondary victim to child sexual abuse).
John and I were facilitators of a pilot course in WA called the Sycamore Tree Project which also operates internationally.
We met with six prisoners in the Protected Unit in Acacia, four were convicted of offences against children and one was convicted of murder. (The prisoners were not related in any way to the visitors).
During the course, we each told parts of our personal stories, issues we were struggling with, while examining concepts of accountability, confession, owning the truth, repentence, forgiveness, restoration, and reconciliation.
"The results on both sides exceeded anything we could have imagined."
- Michael Cockram AM (STP Founder for WA)
For more testimonies, stories and poems follow the Sycamore Tree TAB
Shafts of Light
'Shafts of Light from a Dark Place' has been compiled by Victims and Offenders on completion of the STP Course 2005 - 2008. Copies are available from the PF Office for $6.00.
Are you a victim of crime?
Has a criminal offence been committed against you, or someone you care about?
Has this negatively affected your attitudes, behaviours, emotions, relationships or sense of security?
If you consider that you have recovered from the incident, are you willing to share your experiences for the benefit of others?
If any of these questions apply to you, you may be a candidate for this programme.
For Information on Courses for Victims of Crime, read
STP Brochure 2009
