NHS failing child sex abuse victims, say psychiatrists

The apology comes after the college set up a working group of experts, doctors and abuse survivors, including Caroline, to review NHS care.

The group was set up after mental health services have seen a rise in people coming forward seeking help in the last decade or so, following high-profile abuse scandals involving schools, children’s homes and religious institutions, as well as the Jimmy Savile crimes.

The college is calling for a number of changes. It is promising to develop specialist training materials for psychiatrists, but wants mandatory training for all mental health staff on the importance of trauma-informed care for survivors of child sex abuse.

And it has recommended national guidance be published on how to recognise and respond to disclosures of historic child sex abuse, as well as an overhaul of services so those needing help can get the long-term support they need.

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”.

“For too many adult survivors, mental health services have not felt like a route to safety or recovery.

“They have been another place where the impact of trauma was missed or where the offered treatment was inappropriate.”

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.”

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.

“People who have suffered historic child sexual abuse may not have spoken about it for years, so it’s vital they know they can access specialist, trauma-informed support through the NHS,” he added.

He also said steps were being taken to better support children and young people with additional training being provided to mental health support teams in schools and colleges.

If you’ve been affected by the issues in this story, you can find information, advice and support from the BBC’s Action Line. Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org in the UK.