Effects of Sexual Abuse

How does being sexually abused affect you?

The short and especially long-term effects of sexual abuse can be varied, complex, and often quite devastating. Depression, anxiety, and anger, for example, tend to be some of the most commonly reported responses in childhood sexual abuse. When it comes to adults, having fear of specific places or people, troubled relationships, the inability to feel happy or have fun, trust issues, and not performing well at work – are some signs to look for.

The majority of survivors have reported a sense of fear, shame, guilt, humiliation, and self-blame, all of which can lead to depression, anger, sleeplessness, and anxiety.

There may also be symptoms of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) where survivors may experience recurring thoughts of the abuse, including nightmares and flashbacks.

Some survivors may develop a distorted self-perception, believing that they were responsible for the sexual abuse and it was something they deserved. This can result in a self-destructive pattern which can have a highly adverse effect on nearly all areas of life, especially relationships.

Being sexually abused can also affect a person physically. Sexual abuse may also affect a person’s ability to experience feelings of desire and arousal, or difficulty in achieving an orgasm. Genaecologic problems, for example, are common among female survivors.

Adult survivors of sexual abuse may be less adept at protecting themselves, as they are more susceptible to being victimised by others, whether sexually or otherwise.

No matter how sexual abuse has affected you, know that professional help and impartial advice is only a phone call away. Our friendly solicitor will listen to your account in complete confidentiality and recommend the next steps which can help get your life back on track, by getting you appropriate compensation which may include holding the perpetrator accountable.

What are the long term effects of sexual abuse?

Sexual abuse is not only a serious crime punishable by law but it can also potentially have equally serious long-term effects on the survivor. The impact of such abuse on children and adults can manifest into both physical and emotional which can often lead to severe mental trauma in the long term.

Here are the different kinds of long-term effects of sexual abuse a survivor may have to endure:

Emotional & mental long-term effects

In nearly all cases, sexual abuse may have long-lasting and profound effects on the survivor’s emotional and mental wellbeing. In fact, the trauma from sexual abuse can stay with survivors for years, in some instances, even a lifetime. Sexual abuse victims have most commonly reported the following long-term mental and emotional effects:

Depression & anxiety – Both depression and anxiety are two of the most commonly reported effects of sexual abuse which can have a long and lasting impact on the survivor’s mental health or state of mind. With depression, anxiety, and mood swings being common, the underlying symptoms can not only be difficult to manage but also have lasting effects long after the sexual abuse has ended.

Substance abuse –Survivors might resort to substances, including drugs and alcohol, to try and suppress the experience, perhaps, as a way of self-medicating or self-healing. Furthermore, substance abuse may also be resorted to as a coping mechanism, especially with the overwhelming emotions that sexual abuse survivors must bear. However, this vicious cycle tends to create even more mental health problems down the line.

Guilt & shame – It is not uncommon for sexual abuse survivors to experience feelings of guilt and shame, ranging from moderate to severe. They often blame themselves for the experience. Feelings of guilt and shame can lead to a sense of uselessness and worthlessness, causing survivors to become introverted or withdraw easily from social interactions or relationships, for example.

PTSD – Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a condition that people often experience after going through a traumatising or mentally/emotionally disturbing event. Sexual abuse survivors are actually at a very high risk of developing PTSD; symptoms typically include intense anxiety, hypervigilance, difficulty sleeping, and mood swings, accompanied by flashbacks of the experience and nightmares.

Trust issues – Sexual abuse survivors typically suffer from trust issues which can manifest in many different ways. For example, some survivors find it difficult to commit to relationships or enjoy intimacy, as they are hesitant to share personal information or experiences with others, most likely due to the fact that their personal space was violated earlier. Moreover, survivors may also experience feelings of betrayal as they might worry about the possibility of further or unexpected abuse.

While recovering from sexual abuse can be a difficult process involving lots of time, effort, and patience, speaking to a solicitor is a step in the right direction as it can help you get your due rights as well as your life back on track. Our solicitors are very friendly, approachable, and professional, discussing everything with survivors of sexual abuse in confidence, and providing tailored advice on how to claim appropriate compensation and potentially bring the perpetrator to justice.