Adult Survivors of Sexual Abuse

What is sexual abuse?

Sexual abuse is any form of unwanted sexual contact or behaviour, often involving manipulation, coercion, or force. It can include rape, molestation, sexual harassment, or any other inappropriate sexual actions. Sexual abuse can happen at any age but often has long-lasting emotional, psychological, and physical effects, particularly for those who experience it during childhood. For many survivors, these effects continue into adulthood, impacting their relationships, sense of self, and overall mental health.

Challenges faced by adult survivors of sexual abuse

Adult survivors of sexual abuse often face a range of challenges that can affect various aspects of their lives:

• Emotional and psychological impact: Survivors may experience feelings of shame, guilt, anger, or betrayal. They may struggle with depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is also common, causing flashbacks, nightmares, and heightened anxiety.
• Difficulty with relationships: Trust issues can arise, making it difficult for survivors to form or maintain close relationships. Survivors may also struggle with intimacy, sexual dysfunction, or fear of being controlled or hurt again.
• Substance abuse and self-destructive behaviours: In an attempt to cope with the emotional pain, some survivors may turn to alcohol, drugs, or other harmful behaviours. These behaviours can provide temporary relief but often worsen the situation in the long term.
• Triggers and flashbacks: Certain situations, smells, sounds, or even interactions can trigger memories of the abuse, leading to emotional distress or panic attacks.
• Feelings of isolation: Many survivors feel disconnected or alone, often because they fear being judged or not believed. They might withdraw from family and friends, feeling misunderstood or unsupported.

How to support adult survivors of sexual abuse

Supporting an adult survivor of sexual abuse involves offering empathy, understanding, and respect for their healing process.

Here are some key ways to provide support:

• Listen without judgment: Survivors of sexual abuse need to feel heard and validated. Listening to their experiences without offering judgment or advice can help them process their emotions and begin to heal.
• Respect their boundaries: Survivors may have physical or emotional boundaries related to their trauma. It’s crucial to respect these boundaries, even if they seem unusual or difficult to understand.
• Encourage professional help: Professional support, such as therapy or counselling, can provide survivors with the tools and resources needed to work through the trauma. Trauma-informed therapy, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing), can be particularly effective for processing traumatic memories.
• Be patient and understanding: Healing from sexual abuse is a long-term process, and survivors may have good days and bad days. Patience is key in providing ongoing support.
• Avoid minimising their experience: Avoid comments like "It’s in the past," or "You should just move on." Such statements can invalidate their feelings and make them feel misunderstood. Instead, acknowledge the difficulty of their experience and the courage it takes to heal.
  

The importance of support for adult survivors of sexual abuse

For adult survivors, healing from sexual abuse is not a linear process. It takes time, but with the right support, survivors can work towards understanding the trauma, regaining control over their lives, and building healthy relationships. Support from loved ones, as well as professional help, plays a crucial role in their recovery journey.

Healing is possible. Many survivors go on to lead fulfilling lives, overcoming the trauma they have faced, but they often require a combination of support, therapy, and time to process the complex emotions surrounding their experiences. It’s important to remember that the impact of sexual abuse can be lifelong, but recovery and resilience are also possible.

How we can help

If you or someone you know is an adult survivor of sexual abuse, we are here to provide the support and resources necessary for healing. Our services ensure that survivors have the opportunity to process their experiences, develop coping strategies, and begin their recovery journey. We also provide resources on building healthy relationships, managing triggers, and improving overall mental health and well-being. You don’t have to go through this alone - help is available, and recovery is possible.