What do we know about victims?

CHILDHOOD SEXUAL abuse can be devastating to those who experience it. Close to half of childhood mental health problems are associated with sexual abuse, and a quarter of adults who have challenges have a history of childhood sexual abuse.

For victims, the betrayal of trust and violation of their physical boundaries can lead to an inability to trust others in the future or even trust themselves. Survivors are more likely to have dysfunctional relationships and more likely to engage in high-risk sexual activities. They are more likely to become sexually active earlier and have multiple partners. If you see a child acting ‘fast’, maybe he/she has been exposed too early to sexual content. Survivors have more difficulty forming intimate relationships, and are more susceptible to rape in the future.

Most of the challenges that survivors face come from the guilt and shame that they internalise. There is incredible doubt about their own abilities, high rates of depression and anxiety, and attempting to cope through addictive behaviours. They are more likely to have difficulty in school and have lower test scores. Survivors even report more physical health problems than people who have not experienced childhood sexual abuse. There are real harmful consequences for victims. These are consequences for us as a society.