Home


Cover your
tracks


About us


Contact us

Information

Useful contacts

Volunteering

Donate

‘Would speaking help?’
A lot of people who have been sexually abused feel the need to speak to
someone about the effect
it has had on their lives.

No matter how long ago
you were abused, your feelings about what happened to you are important. You have the
right to be listened to, no
matter what you want to say.

Through speaking about
your abuse you may well be able to overcome difficulties that you experience as an adult and come to terms
with what has happened.

Information about child sexual abuse for adult survivors

What is child sexual abuse?
Sexual abuse takes many forms: explicit sexual talk; showing pornography; sexual touching; lack of privacy to bath or undress; masturbation; and sexual intercourse.

How Common is Sexual Abuse?
It is estimated that up to 1 in 3 people experience some form of sexual abuse. In more than three quarters of cases, an adult the child knows and trusts commits the abuse. 

The vast majority of abusers are men but women also sexually abuse.

Why didn't I tell someone at the time what was going on?
You would have had a reason not to tell when you where a child, you may have been threatened with further abuse and violence, you may well have thought no one would believe, you may have felt and been told that it was your fault, you may have had no one you could trust to tell, you may have felt that you where protecting another family member, you may have blocked out the abuse and, forgotten about it. Abuse can be confusing especially when someone you care for or love is doing this to you. Children are powerless to stop abuse. You cannot be responsible for consenting to an act you didn’t understand or which you were forced into or had no choice about.

Abusers are always to blame! 
We know some children are made to or forced to abuse others as part of their abuse. These children have no choice and tend to have been threatened, by the adults who are abusing them.  In these situations the adult, not the child, is to blame

Is the way I’m feeling normal? 
Everyone reacts differently to a traumatic event. It is not uncommon to; have nightmares, difficulty sleeping, flashbacks (almost like re-living the event, loose your confidence, trust in yourself and others, feel worthless, be afraid to go out, afraid of others, hate yourself, feel angry, dirty, ashamed, depressed, upset and/or tearful. You may find that you relationship or sexual difficulties or be unsure about your sexuality; you may find it difficult to cope, feel suicidal or you may have made attempts at taking your life. You may be trying to cope by, self-harming / injuring e.g. cutting, burning, scrubbing using drugs and / or alcohol, bingeing, vomiting and/or starving yourself.

Whatever you are feeling is a normal response to what has happened.

‘I recently started remembering things from when I was a child and can’t believe it, is this true, can this happen?’ 
It is not uncommon for this to happen as a child you still had to go to school each day, continue with day to day life. Abuse can be pushed to the back of your mind and completely forgotten about. You may have recovered memories after the birth of a child, the death of the abuser, the break up of a relationship or indeed any stressful experience You must remember that you did not ask for this to happen to you.

Many women find that speaking about their experience, although often difficult and painful, helps them come to terms with what has happened.

Dundee Child Protection Line

If you live in Dundee and have concerns about a child, contact the Dundee Child Protection Line on 01382 307999.

If you believe a child is in IMMEDIATE danger, contact 999.

Surviving sexual abuse: an easy-read guide

A guide produced by ENABLE Scotland in easy-read format for adults with learning disabilities who have experienced sexual abuse. It describes what sexual abuse is, how people can protect themselves from abuse and what they can do if they have been abused.

Unlocking sexual abuse and learning disabilities

The booklet, prepared by ENABLE Scotland, is for parents, carers or support workers of adults with learning disabilites. It covers how to support someone who has been sexually abused and lists sources of help and support.