As well as working privately, I have also been a counsellor and helpline volunteer at Guildford Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre over the last few years. I have heard the personal stories of child sexual abuse and rape survivors from all walks of life, and witnessed how these crimes are still affecting their lives. Many, many more survivors have been coming forward to seek therapeutic support since the public exposure of Jimmy Savile’s past.
Men and women who have had their physical and emotional boundaries battered by such a sexual crime may hold a mis-placed sense of shame and suffer lasting problems with relationships and their own self-worth. They may seek support for symptoms of post-traumatic stress such as flashbacks, nightmares, panic attacks and anxiety along with depression, alcohol/drug misuse and sexual problems.
Whilst everyone has their own unique experience, survivors of this sort of trauma may need to draw on all their reserves of courage to share their story with someone else: choosing to reach out to a counsellor experienced in working with such trauma can be an empowering choice after feeling so helpless and distressed.
Making that first contact with a counsellor can be an act of optimism, and a taking charge of their emotional wellbeing. In therapy, survivors of child sexual abuse and sexual violence have the opportunity to share their story in a non-judgemental, trusting and safe environment which will help to counter their feelings of powerlessness and isolation. They can learn to trust that they need to feel no shame, and to find their true selves in a confidential and caring environment.
Men and women who have had their physical and emotional boundaries battered by such a sexual crime may hold a mis-placed sense of shame and suffer lasting problems with relationships and their own self-worth. They may seek support for symptoms of post-traumatic stress such as flashbacks, nightmares, panic attacks and anxiety along with depression, alcohol/drug misuse and sexual problems.
Whilst everyone has their own unique experience, survivors of this sort of trauma may need to draw on all their reserves of courage to share their story with someone else: choosing to reach out to a counsellor experienced in working with such trauma can be an empowering choice after feeling so helpless and distressed.
Making that first contact with a counsellor can be an act of optimism, and a taking charge of their emotional wellbeing. In therapy, survivors of child sexual abuse and sexual violence have the opportunity to share their story in a non-judgemental, trusting and safe environment which will help to counter their feelings of powerlessness and isolation. They can learn to trust that they need to feel no shame, and to find their true selves in a confidential and caring environment.
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