NHS failing adult survivors of child sexual abuse, psychiatrists warn

Psychiatrists assert that the National Health Service is failing adults who were victims of child sexual abuse.

Senior medical professionals have informed the BBC that individuals who experienced sexual abuse as children and later seek mental health support are being inadequately served by the NHS.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists is publicly apologising for what it identifies as decades of mismanagement and incorrect diagnoses within the United Kingdom.

The college stated that mental health practitioners have historically focused too heavily on symptom management instead of exploring how past traumatic experiences continue to affect patients.

Although support is reportedly improving, the college highlighted the need for enhanced training and increased financial investment, which NHS leaders claim is being implemented.

This apology is contained within a report produced by the college and provided to the BBC.

Dr. Lade Smith, the immediate past president of the college, expressed her regret that victims frequently endured "avoidable harm" when attempting to get help.

The report details instances where treatment was sometimes inappropriate, and individuals experienced re-traumatisation due to repeated assessments, constant history-taking, and not always being believed.

Dr. Smith conveyed to the BBC that it was evident people were not receiving the necessary assistance, and she attributed this not solely to psychiatrists but to the entire mental health system.

She explained that services are highly fragmented, with the system structured to provide short, isolated care episodes. Psychiatrists lack sufficient time to develop relationships with patients, hindering proper support.

Dr. Smith noted that patients are fortunate to receive eight therapy sessions, even though it could take eight sessions just for a person to disclose the abuse.

She added that these are only the individuals who manage to obtain support, as many others do not even get seen by mental health services because resources are so strained.

Estimates indicate that almost one in ten adults in England and Wales experienced sexual abuse during their childhood.

Such trauma elevates the risk of developing mental health issues, including substance misuse (alcohol and drugs), eating disorders, self-harm, complex PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

Many find it difficult to discuss the abuse, with approximately two-thirds of those abused as children not having disclosed it to services by the time they reach adulthood.

One in five never disclose, and among those who do, many take decades to speak out.

Caroline Thompson, aged 65, is an individual who feels disappointed by the NHS.

She endured psychological and sexual abuse during her childhood.