NHS failing child sex abuse victims in adulthood, say psychiatrists

1:08 AM ETDeveloping

Health Desk

Caroline Thompson sought help in her mid 50s after developing terrifying nightmares decades after being abused The psychiatrist she saw said her symptoms were unlikely to be due to the abuse because of the delay in presentation and given she had been able to have a family and successful career.

A spokesman for NHS England said victims could access support 24 hours a day, seven days a week through sexual assault referral centres and counselling services with information about them available on the NHS website , external.

Author and immediate past president of the college, Dr Lade Smith, said she was "sorry" that, too often, victims have suffered "avoidable harm when seeking help". She said some are met with disbelief which can be particularly "damaging", while even when the trauma is recognised others are told they are "too complex, unsuitable or outside the remit of available services.

Gabrielle Shaw, chief executive of the National Association for People Abused in Childhood, said this was a "significant and welcome" apology, but it must lead to "meaningful change". The college said mental health staff have been too focussed on treating symptoms rather than exploring how past traumatic experiences can still affect patients.

"And these are just the people who get support – many don't even get seen by mental health services because services are so stretched," she said. Support is improving, it said, but there must be better training and more investment.

For some, it has worsened their traumas, it said.

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For some, it has worsened their traumas, it said.
The college said mental health staff have been too focussed on treating symptoms rather than exploring how past traumatic experiences can still affect patients.
Support is improving, it said, but there must be better training and more investment.
Author and immediate past president of the college, Dr Lade Smith, said she was "sorry" that, too often, victims have suffered "avoidable harm when seeking help".
"And these are just the people who get support – many don't even get seen by mental health services because services are so stretched," she said.
Caroline Thompson sought help in her mid 50s after developing terrifying nightmares decades after being abused The psychiatrist she saw said her symptoms were unlikely to be due to the abuse because of the delay in…
Gabrielle Shaw, chief executive of the National Association for People Abused in Childhood, said this was a "significant and welcome" apology, but it must lead to "meaningful change".
She said some are met with disbelief which can be particularly "damaging", while even when the trauma is recognised others are told they are "too complex, unsuitable or outside the remit of available services.

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