Child abuse can happen in different ways, and can include neglect as well as physical, emotional and sexual abuse. In many cases, people experience more than one type of abuse.
Often, people abuse others because they want power and control over them. If you were abused as a child, it’s important to remember that it’s not your fault or because of anything that you did. Abusive behaviour towards children is always wrong and never the child’s fault.
We know that around one in four adults, both male and female, has experienced abuse as a child. Some find that with the support of their family and friends they are able to move on from their childhood abuse. But for many survivors, talking about the abuse to someone who is professional, caring and independent, from an organisation that helps survivors, such as Victim Support, is an essential step. We can help you to develop the coping strategies you may need to manage the overwhelming feelings that the impact of childhood abuse can have in adulthood.
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Related links
- NAPAC (The National Association for People Abused in Childhood)
- The Survivors Trust
- Rape Crisis
- NSPCC
- Survivors’ Voices – a One in Four publication that contains first-hand accounts written by survivors of childhood sexual abuse
- My Support Space – Victim Support’s online resource containing interactive guides to help you move forward after crime