Areni Tungoe, a Christian counselor and educator from Nagaland, stood alongside global experts to address the complex issue of sexual violence against children and women at the 7th Indonesian Association of Psychospiritual Counselors (IAPC) Conference held in Indonesia from July 1 to 4.
Representing India as an international speaker, Tungoe joined Dr. Theresia I. Shanti, Psi., Mpsi, and Pdt. Ira Imelda, Kons., in leading critical discussions during the four-day conference that brought together mental health professionals, pastoral caregivers, and counselors from across Southeast Asia and beyond.
Speaking on the topic ”Care and Counselling for Child Survivors of Sexual Violence,” Tungoe called for urgent and united action from church and society to prevent abuse and support survivors. “Sexual violence against children knows no borders. It occurs in every country, in every society,” she said, underlining the scale and universality of the issue.
Quoting the World Health Organization (WHO) definition of sexual violence, Tungoe explained that it includes “any sexual act, unwanted sexual comments or threats of harm, or physical force, by any person regardless of relationship to the victim in any setting, including but not limited to home and work.”
She pointed out that a majority of abuse cases occur before the age of 15, with 8% of female survivors and 14% of male survivors reporting abuse before the age of 12. Particularly alarming, she noted, is that 80% of perpetrators belong to the child’s circle of trust.
Tungoe advocated for education, strict safety protocols, and community-wide prevention strategies. These include teaching protective skills, creating safe environments, empowering girls and women, and offering survivor-centered care. “Together, church and society can make a profound difference. We must stand together to promote a culture of safety and protection,” she urged.
As a pastoral counselor, Tungoe also highlighted the need for spiritual support for Christian survivors who may experience crises of faith after trauma. She recommended therapeutic interventions such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and play therapy for children as part of a holistic recovery approach.
During her visit to Indonesia, Tungoe also preached at Jakarta International Christian Fellowship, where she addressed similar issues related to women and shared the importance of mental health from a faith-based perspective.
Currently pursuing her PhD at Martin Luther Christian University, Tungoe holds an MA in Pastoral Counseling and is a registered and certified counselor. She is the founder of the Holistic and Counseling Training Center and serves as a children’s pastor at Kohima Lotha Assembly of God. She also sits on the Board of the Christian Counsellor Association of India (CCAI), a network with representation in over 20 countries.
In recognition of her contributions, she was awarded the Prof. Erika Voight Young Scientist Award.
Looking ahead, Tungoe is among the 50 international speakers invited to the Church Mental Health Summit on October 10, 2025—a global, one-day online event aimed at equipping churches with faith-rooted tools to support mental health. The summit will feature over 50 sessions across five thematic tracks.
Registration for the summit is open at www.churchmental healthsummit.com, offering a free pass with full access to all sessions.
(With inputs from Menuse-O Marius)