The Past

The Past: Adult Survivors of Abuse 

It takes on average 22 years to disclose childhood abuse. As children have not emotionally matured and are very impresionable, child abuse removes them from their peers, their social learning and often academic learning. Many abusers tell their victims they are to blame, so the secret remains a secret. This self blame can manifest itself as self loathing and in many cases lasts a lifetime. Many of the adults we speak to who have been abused still suffer with feelings of self hatred, denial, self blame, vulnerability, depression, poor body image and guilt, sometimes holding extremely confusing emotions for their abusers.

These feelings can manifest themselves in a variety of ways which can be destructive, and in some cases, fatal. That is why people who were abused in childhood are often called survivors as they survived such trauma that to many it is unspeakable.

See Changes is developing an impartial advocacy service that helps survivors of abuse with whatever they may need: be it reporting abuse to the police or finding pastoral support. We  have worked with many cases of adults who needed advice from both professionals and fellow survivors; as people who understand.

Please help us develop this crucial service by clicking on the donate button at the top of the page.