Information For Survivors
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.
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Post traumatic stress symptoms |
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Depression |
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Anxiety |
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Dissociation |
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Flashbacks |
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Nightmares |
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Irritability and outbursts of anger |
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Suicidal thoughts |
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Suicide |
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Alcohol misuse and dependence |
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Drug misuse and dependence |
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Sexual problems |
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Confusion about sexuality |
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Eating disorders |
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Self-injury and self-harming behaviour |
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Transient psychotic episodes |
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Borderline Personality Disorder |
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Dissociative Identity Disorder |
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Somatisation - emotional distress experienced as physical
pain |
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Increased rates of physical conditions like heart disease
and cancer |
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Homelessness |
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Revictimisation |
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Prostitution |
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Criminal behaviour (including for a small minority sexual
offences) |
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Low self-esteem |
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Lack of confidence |
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Sleep problems |
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Parenting problems |
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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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