Abuse

Abuse is when an adult or child is subjected to:

• Sexual abuse
• Physical abuse
• Bullying
• Neglect
• Witness of domestic violence
• Emotional abuse

Why Do Adults And Children Stay Silent?

A child or adult may not speak out about the abuse for many reasons:

• Fear of further abuse and violence if they speak up
• Fear of no-one would believing them
• Feelings of blame for the abuse
• Not knowing or understanding what is happening
• Taking responsibility to protect the family or even the abuser
• Feeling powerless to stop the abuse 

Impact of Abuse

The adult survivor of child abuse may lose...

• Self confidence, esteem and self respect
• The ability to feel OK about self and others
• A core sense of hope, freedom and dignity
• Their physical and mental health
• Their ability to trust people
• The ability to cope with everyday situations e.g. shopping, having a career or walking in a park
• The ability to relax and enjoy life
• Their innocence
• Their memories of childhood, or their childhood by having to grow up

Abuse Survivors

Adult Survivors may cope with their past of abuse by...

• Alcohol and drug abuse.
• Obsessive behaviour and strict routines
• Self harming e.g. overeating, cutting, scratching or burning, shop lifting
• Forgetting or minimising the abuse
• Turning to a religion in search of answers, hope and reasons
• Breaking ties with, or confronting, the abuser
• Speaking about it and receiving support
• Join support groups helping other survivors
• Work or volunteer a in job that helps protect children from abuse
• Becoming artists or writers

Counselling and psychotherapy for Survivors of Abuse

It is important to remember that no matter how recent or long ago you were abused; you and your thoughts and feelings about what happened are important.

You have the right to speak out and be heard, no matter what you want to say. Talking may help you overcome any difficulties that you experience as an adult as a result of abuse.

Counselling and psychotherapy can help to survivors of abuse. Counselling can provide a safe space where:

• They can speak freely without judgement
• They can speak about they are ready to speak
• Emotions and thoughts can explored and discussed openly
• Memories can be explored without judgement
• The survivor will be see and accepted and valued
• Trust can be explored and developed
• Something new can happen
• Learn to build healthy relationships with others
• Break old patterns
• Build confidence
• Build self-esteem
• Find self adequacy and acceptance
• Become free from shame and guilt

Your next steps are..

Click here to see our 3 step guide to start counselling and psychotherapy.

Reading Recommendations

If you would like to read more about counselling, then I recommend the following books:

TA Today

Ian Stewart, Vann Joines

£11 .99

This is a comprehensive introduction to Transactional Analysis. The book is well structured and is easily read, and covering the main areas of TA theory. A great feature of this book is the examples and exercises included.
Buy this book online now

Counselling for Toads

Robert de Board

£9.99

I love this book and many of my clients do too. This is an informative story about Toad on the road to recovery from 'depression'. Counselling for Toads provides an insight into the process counselling and psychotherapy, this book should be a companion to anyone that is having or thinking about counselling or psychotherapy.
Buy this book online now

Further information and support

The National Association for People Abused in Childhood

The Samaritans

NSPCC

Safeline

Womensaid

Action on Elder Abuse

Men's Advice Line

Refuge