Nagaland counselor speaks on sexual violence at Indonesia Conference

Areni Tungoe, a Christian counselor and educator from Nagaland, spoke as an international speaker at the 7th Indonesian Association of Psychospiritual Counselors (IAPC) Conference held from July 1 to 4 in Indonesia. The four-day conference focused on preventing sexual violence and supporting survivors, especially children and women.
Speaking on “Care and Counselling for Child Survivors of Sexual Violence,” Tungoe highlighted that sexual abuse knows no boundaries and often involves people close to the victim.
She shared statistics revealing that many victims experience abuse before the age of 15, with some as young as 12.
Tungoe stressed on the importance of education, social awareness, and strict safety protocols to prevent abuse. She called for collaboration between churches and society to create a safe environment, stating that 80% of abusers belong to a child’s trust circle.
She also emphasized therapy options such as EMDR, CBT, and play therapy for recovery, along with the need for spiritual care, especially for Christian survivors.
During her visit, Tungoe also preached at Jakarta International Christian Fellowship, addressing mental health issues faced by women and youth.
She is currently pursuing a PhD at Martin Luther Christian University, holds an MA in Pastoral Counseling, and is a 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 serves on the board of the Christian Counsellor Association of India and is a recipient of the Prof. Erika Voight Young Scientist Award.
Tungoe will be one of 50 international speakers at the upcoming Church Mental Health Summit scheduled for October 10, 2025.
The online event aims to equip churches with tools to address mental health. Interested participants can register for a free pass at www.churchmentalhealthsummit.com.