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Information For Survivors

The impact of childhood sexual abuse, sexual violence and rape

What you can do if you have been raped
What you can do if you have been raped or sexually abused in childhood
The Survivor's Charter

The Victims' Charter

This website is still being developed, please bear with us.  Your constructive comments will be welcomed.

 The impact of childhood sexual abuse, sexual violence and rape

The long-term effects of childhood sexual abuse, sexual violence and rape can include many emotional, psychological and physical conditions.  The experience of sexual assault or abuse at any age and whether male or female can have devastating effects on every aspect of a person's being and life - on their mind, their body, their behaviour, thoughts and feelings. 

The following list includes some of the effects now being recognised and acknowledged as the consequences of childhood sexual abuse, sexual violence or rape on many victims and survivors.  The Survivors Trust wants to stress that it is not inevitable that all victims will suffer from all effects - the mix, severity and complexity is a unique experience for each individual.

Post traumatic stress symptoms

Depression

Anxiety

Dissociation

Flashbacks

Nightmares

Irritability and outbursts of anger

Suicidal thoughts

Suicide

Alcohol misuse and dependence

Drug misuse and dependence

Sexual problems

Confusion about sexuality

Eating disorders

Self-injury and self-harming behaviour

Transient psychotic episodes

Borderline Personality Disorder

Dissociative Identity Disorder

Somatisation - emotional distress experienced as physical pain

Increased rates of physical conditions like heart disease and cancer

Homelessness

Revictimisation

Prostitution

Criminal behaviour (including for a small minority sexual offences)

Low self-esteem

Lack of confidence

Sleep problems

Parenting problems

Relationship problems

If you are a victim or survivor of sexual violence, rape or childhood sexual abuse, the thought that you may be affected in any of the above ways may be frightening and daunting.    Member groups of The Survivors Trust have the professional expertise and empathic understanding necessary to help survivors meet the challenges and difficulties they are experiencing as a result of abuse or rape. 

Remember you have a right to be safe and to choose what happens to you.  The Survivors Trust is determined to ensure that all survivors have access to appropriate counselling, support and advice so that they can reclaim their lives and obtain the justice they deserve. 

Please see About our member groups for details of support groups and services near you.

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 What you can do if you have been raped

This information is still being compiled

 What you can do if you have been raped or sexually abused in childhood

This information is still being compiled

 The Survivor's Charter

If you are a victim of rape, sexual violence or childhood sexual abuse and are seeking support, you have a right to receive appropriate advice, care and attention from all the agencies and individuals involved.

This information is still being compiled

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 The Victims' Charter

This information is still being compiled

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