Sexual abuse comes in many forms.
Whether it’s a child forced to watch pornography by a paedophile, a teenager betrayed by a relative, a woman assaulted on a night out or a man raped at knifepoint amid civil war, such atrocities leave deep wounds. For many, sexual abuse is a crime that impacts them for decades – it is a uniquely cruel violation of body and mind.
Common themes
No two stories are the same, but there are some common themes among those who have been abused. Often survivors will experience deep shame – a sense of being tainted by what has been done to them. That can be accompanied by isolation, imagining that no-one will ever be able to understand their pain. Frequently, they will experience anxiety and find it hard to trust. Some respond to such fear by building barriers – ensuring others never get close – others mask their fear under alcohol, drugs, perfectionism or overwork.
