Thirty years on from the first time he was raped, Sam Troth regularly wakes up at night crying and with cold sweats.
But after three years of counselling, the Waihi father of six is more than halfway through his mission of walking across New Zealand encouraging other men to speak about sexual violence.
Troth, 39, shared his story with other men during a barbecue on Friday at Male Survivors Bay of Plenty – a place where he receives regular counselling support.
His mission to walk the length of the country started in Bluff on October 24, eager to generate conversations about male sexual violence and show others his vulnerable side. He expected to finish the walk in Cape Reinga on December 30.
I am owning my past and saying it’s okay. And it’s a good feeling because it’s helping other people do the same.