Sexual abuse

Please give feedback on this information

Copyright note for Mind factsheets: Both individuals and organisations are welcome to print and photocopy any complete factsheet from the 'Information' section of Mind's website. Organisations are free to distribute them to service users and colleagues, but must ensure they always use the latest version of the factsheet, as available on the website, at the time of distribution.

Introduction        
First stop organisations            
Other organisations, associations and helplines      
     For men and women       
     For women        
     For men         
     For or concerning children       
     For people with learning difficulties      
     For people who have experienced abuse in a ritual setting   
     For people who have experienced abuse by health and social care workers          
     Survivors of the psychiatric system      
Health problems that can be suffered by survivors   
      Dissociative disorder       
     Eating distress        
     Panic attacks
     Relationship problems
     Self-harm
Considering counselling  
Getting legal assistance
Helping to prevent sexual abuse
Further reading
General publications       
Personal experiences       
Publications for male survivors       
Publications for children and young people

Introduction

"Abuse breaks something sacred inside us…the most important harm I have wrestled with is…the problem of a broken heart. Adults can better bear a broken heart…but it doesn't work that way for children..."
Fran Henry, Survivor of child sexual abuse and founder of Stop it Now!

If you have been abused, or fear you have, it can be very hard to take the first step in seeking help – especially if you have tried to talk about the issue before to friends, family or professionals and have not had a response that helped you. An insensitive response can be a real blow. Ironically, many of us who have survived childhood sexual abuse continue to suffer from the ignorance and fear of others in our path to healing. But the good news is that things are slowly moving on, and there is a growing awareness at many levels of the extent of child sexual abuse, and of the deep and lasting wounds it can lay on those who have suffered it. The resources on this sheet have been chosen to show you the kinds of help and services that are available.

If you are new to thinking about this, it can seem as if there is a bewildering array of options, and you may feel very unsure about what to expect. Where you start will very much depend on your personal preference and where you are in your own journey. You may want someone to talk to, in confidence, who can give you the time and space you need to explore your feelings, and what you want to do next, if anything. You may be at a stage where you would value professional counselling, or you might prefer a self-help ethos and wish to join a group of people with similar experiences.

Provision varies according to where you are in the country, and as many organisations operate only on a part-time basis, you may have to call back a few times before getting a response. However there are some excellent sources of support in many parts of the country. Or you may prefer to gain understanding through reading – and there is a wealth of information available if you know where to look. We have arranged this sheet in a way that we hope will be useful to you.

• if you want to talk to someone who understands, anonymously and in confidence – see the 'first stop organisations' list below, or try the local organisations section
• if you want to increase your understanding through reading about others' experiences or using some of the workbooks available, have a look at the 'Further reading' section. Many or the organisations listed in this leaflet provide packs or written information that you may also find helpful.
• to find out how to contact local groups in your area see the 'Local groups and organisations' section. Services (depending on your area) can include both first-stop and longer-term telephone support, counselling and group work.
• Many people who were abused in childhood suffer physical problems and mental distress into adult life. Our 'Health problems' section deals with some of the better known ones and gives details of organisations that can help.
• You may be at a stage where you want to do some one-to-one work with a  counsellor or therapist. The section 'Considering counselling' has information that will help you.
• For some survivors, being involved in raising awareness, making common cause with others and helping to prevent child sexual abuse has provided them with a sense of purpose and reward. If you feel this might be for you, the 'Helping to prevent sexual abuse' section may be of interest.

Good luck – we hope you will find something here that will be helpful to you in your situation. Mind would welcome your feedback on this leaflet (email publishing@mind.org.uk).

Back to top

First stop organisations

The organisations listed in this section – as well as those in the local organisations section – aim to offer help to those who need to talk in confidence to someone who can offer a supportive space.

ChildLine
Freepost NATN1111, London E1 6BR
helpline: 0800 11 11 (24hrs)
Deaf/hearing impaired textphone helpline: 0800 400 222 (Mon-Fri 9.30am-9.30pm, Sat and Sun 9.30am-8pm)
web: www.childline.org.uk  
Confidential telephone counselling service for children.

NAPAC (The National Association for People Abused in Childhood)
42 Curtain Road, London EC2A 3NH
tel: 020 8313 9460
helpline: 0800 085 3330 (Mon-Fri 10.30-3pm)
email: via website (see below)
web: www.napac.org.uk
NAPAC is the only national freephone helpline for men or women who are adult survivors of any kind of childhood abuse. Staffed by people with an in-depth understanding of the effects of abuse, you can contact them just to get things off your chest, discuss action you might want to take or to tap into their expertise on resources locally and nationally.

Samaritans
helpline: 08457 90 90 90
email: jo@samaritans.org
web: www.samaritans.org
A confidential 24-hour telephone service, seven days a week. You can also drop in at most Samaritan centers during the day or evening. Although not all volunteers will have specific training or experience in the area of sexual abuse, they offer a compassionate and non-judgmental listening ear to anyone in emotional distress, at any time of the day or night, whether suicidal or not.

Stop it Now!
Stop it Now! UK and Ireland, PO Box 9841, Birmingham, B48 7WB
telephone/fax (office): 01527 598 184
helpline: 0800 100 900 (Mon to Thurs 9am-9pm; Friday 9am-7pm)
email: office@stopitnow.org.uk (general)
email: help@stopitnow.org.uk (for support)
web: www.stopitnow.org.uk
Stop it Now! believes that it is the responsibility of all adults to prevent child sexual abuse and to know the warning signs that abuse may be taking place. Stop! provides confidential freephone helpline support for anyone with a concern, including the parents and carers of children and young people with worrying sexual behaviour, and friends and family worried about the behaviour of another adult. It produces a range of prizewinning booklets and posters, downloadable from their website, or from project offices in Derbyshire, Thames Valley, Surrey, the Black Country and Northern Ireland.

Back to top

Contacting local groups and services

Rape Crisis Federations are a good place to start in seeking an organisation in your local area. Most members have a great deal of experience in working with people abused in childhood, and some can offer face-to-face counselling and support groups as well as telephone support.

Your local telephone directory or Citizens Advice Bureau may also have information on helpful organisations locally. Please bear in mind that as the opening hours of these services are often very limited, you may need to persevere in order to get through.

The Dabs Pathfinder Service (see 'Considering counselling' section below) can also help you find specialist counsellors in your area.

Some of the organisations in the 'Other organisations, associations and helplines' section, although mostly national, may have particular services available to the local area in which they are based.

Rape Crisis England and Wales
email: info@rapecrisis.org.uk
web: www.rapecrisis.org.uk
Lists local organisations throughout England and Wales with contact details, services offered and opening times.

Rape Crisis Federation Scotland
First Floor, 93 Hope Street, Glasgow G2 6LD
email: info@rapecrisisscotland.org.uk  
web: www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk
Offers a useful pack of information, also available in community languages, such as Cantonese, Punjabi and Urdu as well as contacts with specialist health organisations. Has some information on rape and abuse for those working as prostitutes.

Victim Support, Northern Ireland
3rd Floor Annsgate House, 70 Ann Street, Belfast BH11 4EH
tel (office): 0208 9024 4039 (Mon to Fri 9am-5pm)
Victim Support Line 0845 30 30 900

Back to top

Other organisations, associations and helplines

Some of these organisations provide help with particular issues, others operate in particular areas of the country.

For men and women

Family Matters
5 Manor Road, Gravesend, Kent DA1Z 1AA
helpline: 01474 537 392
tel: 01474 536 661
email: admin@familymatters.force9.co.uk
web: www.charitynet.org/~family-matters
Offers counselling, listening and information to adults and children aged four and over who are survivors of sexual abuse. (Messages left on helpline answerphone will be answered as soon as possible.)

HAVOCA (Help for Adult Victims of Child Abuse)
Cobblestones, Moorside Lane, Falfield, Wootton Under Edge, Gloucestershire GL12 8DJ
email: friend@havoca.org (for confidential support)
email: info@havoca.org (for general enquiries)
web: www.havoca.org
Provides information to any adult who is suffering from past childhood abuse. Useful website, including survivor's forum.

Life Centre
PO Box 58, Chichester PO19 8UD
helpline: 01243 779 196 (Thurs and Sun 7.30-10pm)
youthline 0800 279 7273 (for 10- to 18-year-olds: Tues and Wed 3.30-5.30pm; Thurs 12.30-2.30pm)
email: info@lifecentre.uk.com
web: www.lifecentre.uk.com
Telephone counselling for male and female survivors. Also offers face-to-face counselling and art therapy groups for people in West Sussex.

Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre
68 St Georges St, Winchester SO23 8AH (postal address only)
helpline: 01962 848018
email: rasac@waca.org.uk
web: www.rasac.org.uk
Support and information for women and men by phone or email who have been raped or sexually abused, and for their friends, families and professionals.

Safeline
King Tom House, 39b High Street, Warwick CV34 4AX
helpline: 0808 800 5005 (Mon, Wed and Fri 7-10pm; Tues and Thurs 7.30-9.30pm)
email: safeline@bigfoot.com
web: www.safelinewarwick.co.uk
Offers support and information nationwide, by telephone, for people who have been sexually abused in childhood. Those in the Warwickshire and Coventry area can also arrange one-to-one counselling, befriending and support groups.

Survivors On The Net
web: www.survivors.org.uk
Provides information and an online forum for survivors of sexual abuse.

TANSAL (The Abuse Network Survivor Aid Links)
email: infotans@yahoo.com
web: http://tansal.50megs.com
Information, books, training, UK events and links for survivors of sexual, physical, emotional or mental abuse and neglect during childhood. Information links for those who think they might harm others.

For women

Black Women's Rape Action Project
Crossroads Women's Centre, 230a Kentish Town Road, London NW5 2AB
helpline: 020 7482 2496 (Mon to Fri 1.30-4pm)
fax: 020 7209 4761
email: bwrap@dircon.co.uk
web: www.womenagainstrape.net
Offers practical support and counselling to black and immigrant women and other women of colour, including asylum seekers. Serves London. Centre opening hours: Tues and Wed 12-4pm, Thurs 5-7pm.

Breaking Free
Marshall House, 124 Middleton Road
Morden, Surrey SM4 6RW
helpline: 0845 108 0055 (answering machine updated weekly; minicom by arrangement)
email: breakingfreecharity@hotmail.com
Primarily supporting adult female survivors of childhood sexual abuse, offering individual support and counselling, group support sessions, support via letter and a quarterly newsletter. Acts as an information and signposting agency for male/female survivors, friends, relatives and other professional agencies.

Bristol Crisis Service for Women
PO Box 654, Bristol BS99 1XH
helpline: 0117 925 1119 (Fri and Sat 9pm-12.30am, Sun 6-9pm)
web: www.users.zetnet.co.uk/bcsw
A national helpline for women in crisis, particularly those who self-injure. Has a helpful publications list. Also provides training and produces publications.

CIS'ters (Child Incest Survivors)
PO Box 119, Eastleigh, Hants SO50 92F
tel: 02380 338 080
email: admin@cisters.wanadoo.co.uk 
Help and support for incest survivors. Organises workshops and conferences to raise awareness on the issues surrounding incest, particularly mental distress.

Muslim Women's Helpline
helpline: 020 8904 8193/8908 6715 (Mon-Fri 10am-4pm)
email: mwhl@amrnet.demon.co.uk
web: www.mwhl.org
Telephone listening service providing culturally appropriate support for Muslim women and girls. Supports survivors of sexual abuse, as well as other issues. Can refer to specialist services.

Oxford Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre
PO Box 20, Oxford OX4 1DY
tel: 01865 726 295
Freephone: 0800 783 6294 (won't show up on BT phone bills)
Helpline opening hours: Monday 18:30 to 21:00; Thursday 18:30 to 21:00; Friday (from Nov) 11:30 to 14:00; Sunday 18:00 to 20:30.
web: www.oxfordrapecrisis.net 
Offers free, confidential telephone support to female survivors of rape, sexual abuse, domestic violence and sexual harassment, whether recent or in the past.

Women's Counselling Service
PO Box 315, Hounslow TW3 1QF
helpline: 0845 123 2324 (Mon 6.30-9pm)
tel: 0845 123 2325 (Mon, Tues and Thurs)
email: womenscounselling@zoom.co.uk
Offers free face-to-face counselling (where available), telephone support and group work. Serves Greater London.

Back to top

For men

Fire in Ice
100 Moss Lane, Litherland, Liverpool L21 7NJ
helpline: 0845 257 2645 (Tues 6-9pm)
emergencies: 07707 336 929
email: admin@fireinice.co.uk
web: www.fireinice.co.uk
Survivor-led project supporting predominately male survivors of childhood abuse, provides very useful pack via website.

MASH (Men as Survivors Helpline)
Box 58, 82 Colston Street, Bedminster, Bristol BS1 5BB
helpline: 0117 907 7100 (Thurs 7-9pm)

Survivors Swindon
161 Victoria Rd, Swindon SN1 3BU
helpline: 0845 430 9371 (Wed 7-9pm)
email: admin@survivorsswindon.com
web: www.survivorsswindon.com
Telephone helpline for adult (17+) male survivors of child sexual abuse and adult rape. Serves south east and south west England.

Survivors UK
2 Leathermarket Street, London SE1 5HN
helpline: 0845 122 1201 (Tues and Thurs 7-10pm)
tel: 020 7357 6222
web: www.survivorsuk.org
Provides support for men who have been raped or sexually abused. Helpline takes calls from the whole of the UK. Also provides face-to-face counselling and support groups in the London area.

Back to top

For and concerning children

Careleavers' Association
St Thomas Centre, Arwick Green North, Manchester M12 6FZ
tel: 0161 275 9500
email: info@careleavers.org.uk
web: www.careleavers.org.uk
Provides support for care leavers.

ChildLine
Freepost NATN1111, London E1 6BR
helpline: 0800 11 11 (24hrs)
Deaf/hearing impaired textphone helpline: 0800 400 222 (Mon-Fri 9.30am-9.30pm, Sat and Sun 9.30am-8pm)
web: www.childline.org.uk
Confidential telephone counselling service for children.

Childwatch
19 Spring Bank, Hull HU3 1AF
tel: 01482 325 552 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)
fax: 01482 585 214
email: info@childwatch.org.uk
web: www.childwatch.org.uk
Free confidential counselling and support service for children who have been abused, and for adults abused as children.

Kidscape
2 Grosvenor Gardens, London SW1W 0DH
helpline: 0845 120 5204 (Mon-Fri 10am-4pm), tel: 020 7730 3300, fax: 020 7730 7081
web: www.kidscape.org.uk
Telephone advice for parents with concerns about school bullying and child sexual abuse.

NCH Action for Children
85 Highbury Park, London N5 1UD
helpline: 0845 762 6579 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)
tel: 020 7704 7058
web: www.nch.org.uk
Voluntary organisation whose services include specialist treatment centres for sexually abused children.

NCH Cymru
St David's Court, 68 Cowbridge Road East, Cardiff CF11 9DN
tel: 029 2022 2127 fax: 029 2922 9952
web: www.nch.org.uk
Provides help for children who have been sexually abused and for their families.

Mosac
141 Greenwich High Road, London, SE10 8JA
tel: 0800 980 1958
web: www.mosac.org.uk
Mosac is a voluntary organisation supporting all non-abusing parents and carers whose children have been sexually abused, to provide support, advice, information and counselling following the discovery of sexual abuse. Provides useful help and resources.

YoungMinds
48-50 St John Street, London EC1M 4DG
tel: 020 7336 8445
fax: 020 7336 8446
email: enquiries@youngminds.org.uk
website: www.youngminds.org.uk
Deals with all issues affecting the mental wellbeing of children. Produces useful publications, including the leaflet Do you know someone who has been sexually abused? which is downloadable from their website.

Back to top

For people with learning difficulties

Ann Craft Trust
Centre for Social Work, University of Nottingham
University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD
tel: 0115 951 5400
helpline: 0808 808 0700
email: information@anncrafttrust.org
web: www.anncrafttrust.org
National information and advice service on all aspects of abuse/exploitation of adults and children with learning difficulties, for parents and involved professionals. Also offers training, produces publications and undertakes research.

Respond
3rd Floor, 24-32 Stephenson Way, London NW1 2HD
Tel: office 020 7383 0700
helpline: 0808 808 0700 (Mon-Fri 1.30-5pm)
email: helpline@respond.org.uk
web: www.respond.org.uk
For people with learning difficulties who have experienced or perpetrated sexual abuse, their carers and professionals.

Voice UK
Wyvern House, Railway Terrace, Derby DE1 2RU
helpline: 0845 122 8695 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)
email: voice@voiceuk.org.uk
web: www.voiceuk.org.uk
Supports people with learning difficulties who have experienced crime or abuse, and their families, carers and professional workers.

Back to top

For people who have experienced abuse in a ritual setting

Safe
PO Box 1557, Wiltshire SP1 2TP
helpline: 01722 410 889 (6-8pm every day)
National helpline for people who have been abused in a ritual setting.

For people abused by health and social care workers

Witness
Delta House, 175-177 Borough High Street, London SE1 1HR
tel (office): 020 7939 9920
helpline: 08454 500 300
email: infor@witnessagainstabuse.org
web: www.popan.org.uk
Witness wants to see a world where health and social care relationships are free of abusive practice, and is dedicated to helping people who have been abuse in this situation. It provides a helpline and professional support and advocacy services for those affected, as well as campaigning for improvements in policy, law and practice, conducting research and providing education and training.

Survivors of the psychiatric system

Mind Link
Granta House, 15-19 Broadway, London E15 4BQ
tel: 020 8215 2207
Mind's network of mental health service survivors.

Back to top

Health problems that may be suffered by survivors of sexual abuse

"Your health is bound to be affected if, day after day, you say the opposite of what you feel, if you grovel before what you dislike and rejoice at what brings you nothing but misfortune. Our nervous system isn't just a fiction, it's a part of our physical body, and our soul exists in space and is inside us, like the teeth in our mouth. It can't be forever violated with impunity"
Boris Pasternak, Doctor Zhivago; Quoted in Strong at the Broken Places by Linda Sanford

Dissociative disorder

See Mind's booklet Understanding dissociative disorders.

First Person Plural
PO Box 2537, Wolverhampton WV4 4ZL
email: fpp@firstpersonplural.org.uk
web: www.firstpersonplural.org.uk
National survivor-led group for dissociative survivors of trauma and abuse.

Mosaic Minds, Inc.
web: www.mosaicminds.org
Primarily web-based site for survivors of childhood trauma and their loved ones, with a focus on dissociative identity disorder.

Eating distress

See Mind's booklet Understanding eating distress.

Eating Disorders Association
103 Prince of Wales Road, Norwich, Norfolk NR1 1DW
adult helpline: 0845 634 1414 (Mon-Fri 8.30am-8.30pm, Sat 1-4.30pm)
youth helpline: 0845 634 7650 (Mon-Fri 4-6.30pm, Sat 1-4.30pm)
textphone: 01603 753 222 (Mon-Fri 8.30am-8.30pm)
email: info@edauk.com
web: www.edauk.com

Overeaters Anonymous
PO Box 19, Stretford, Manchester M32 9EB
tel: 07000 784 985
website: www.oagb.org.uk
Help for those in eating distress based on a 12-Step approach. List of meetings throughout Britain.

Panic attacks

See Mind's booklet How to cope with panic attacks.

First Steps to Freedom
1 Taylor Close, Kenilworth, Warwickshire CV8 2LW
helpline: 0845 120 2916
email: info@first-steps.org
web: www.first-steps.org
Support for people experiencing anxiety disorders, including panic attacks.

No Panic
93 Brands Farm Way, Randlay, Telford, Shropshire TF3 2JQ
helpline: 0808 808 0545 (10am-10pm every day) tel: 01952 590 005
email: ceo@nopanic.org.uk
web: www.nopanic.org.uk
Support for people who experience panic attacks, and those with phobias, obsessive compulsive disorder, general anxiety disorder and who are withdrawing from tranquillisers.

Relationship problems

See Mind's booklet How to cope with relationship problems.

Relate
National Headquarters, Herbert Grey College, Little Church Street, Rugby, Warwickshire CV21 3AP
helpline: 0845 130 4010 (Mon-Fri 9.30am-4.30pm)
admin: 0845 456 1310
web: www.relate.org.uk
Provides relationship counselling throughout the UK.

Self-harm

See Mind's booklet Understanding self-harm.

Bristol Crisis Service for Women
PO Box 654, Bristol BS99 1XH
helpline: 0117 925 1119 (Fri and Sat 9pm-12.30am, Sun 6-9pm)
web: www.users.zetnet.co.uk/bcsw
A national helpline for women in crisis, particularly those who self-injure. Has a helpful publications list. Also provides training and produces publications.

National Self Harm Network
PO Box 7264, Nottingham NG1 6WJ
email: info@nshn.co.uk
web: www.nshn.co.uk

Back to top

Considering counselling

The organisations below can help in finding a suitably qualified counsellor that you feel comfortable with.

Also see Mind's booklets Understanding talking treatments and Making sense of counselling.

British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT)
24-27 White Lion Street, London N1 9PD
tel: 020 7745 7262
email: info@baat.org
web: www.baat.org
Art therapy can be useful in exploring and expressing the many feelings associated with child sexual abuse, including anger. BAAT can give details of therapists in your area.

British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
BACP House, 35-37 Albert Street, Rugby, Warwickshire CV21 2SG
tel: 0870 443 5252
fax: 0870 443 5161
email: bacp@bacp.co.uk
web: www.bacp.co.uk
Use the website to search for a therapist online or send an A5 sae for a list of local practitioners.

DABS Pathfinder Service
69 Woodberry Way, Walton On The Naze, Essex CO14 8EW
helpline: 01255 675 351 (9am-9pm every day)
email: pathfinder.info@btinternet.com
web: www.dabspathfinder.org
This service for survivors of childhood abuse, incest and rape aims to help you find specialist help and counselling in your area. Useful pack and website.

Back to top

Getting legal assistance

Association of Child Abuse Lawyers
PO Box 466, Chorleywood, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire WD3 5LG
tel: 01923 286 888 (Tues and Thurs 10am-1pm and 2-4pm)
email: info@childabuselawyers.com
web: www.childabuselawyers.com
Can provide help with finding a solicitor and advise survivors of abuse of what they may expect to get from a lawyer.

Back to top

Helping to prevent sexual abuse

"The world breaks everyone and afterward some are strong at the broken places."
Ernest Hemingway, Farewell to Arms (Quoted by Linda T Sanford in Strong at the Broken Places, 1991 Virago Press)

If you are interested in getting involved in raising awareness about sex abuse, or supporting people who have been abused, the following organisations are good starting points.

Local Rape Crisis Helplines often need volunteers for helplines or with help behind the scenes. To find out how you can help, find your local service through the Rape Crisis Federation England and Wales , or the Rape Crisis Federation Scotland  (see 'Contacting local groups and services').

Stop it Now! believes that it is the responsibility of all adults to prevent child sexual abuse and to know the warning signs that abuse may be taking place. In addition to its confidential freephone helpline support, it produces a range of prizewinning booklets and posters, downloadable from their website, or available, usually free of charge, from project offices in Derby/Derbyshire, Thames Valley, Surrey, the Black Country and Northern Ireland. If you are able to distribute these locally or are able to undertake educational work locally, local offices would be pleased to hear from you.

Back to top

Further reading

Below we list a small selection of the many useful resources available – some practical, some inspirational. Many of the organisations above provide reading lists on their websites or in their information packs.

General publications

DABS (Directory and Book Services)
4 New Hill, Conisbrough, Doncaster DN12 3HA
tel/fax: 01709 860 023
email: info@dabsbooks.co.uk
web: www.dabsbooks.co.uk
Books and information for adults who were abused as children, for anyone affected by sexual abuse and/or child abuse, as well as for health and social care professionals who need information on where to refer clients for specialist help.

Ainscough, C. and Toon, K. 2000, Breaking free: help for survivors of child sexual abuse, Sheldon Press.

Ainscough, C. and Toon, K. 2000, Breaking free workbook: practical help for survivors of child sexual abuse, Sheldon Press.

Bass, E. and Davis, L. 2002, The courage to heal: a guide for women survivors of child sexual ab use, Vermilion.

Davis, L. 1990, The courage to heal workbook: for women and men survivors of child sexual abuse, HarperCollins.

Blume, S. 1998, Secret survivors: uncovering incest and its after-effects in women, Ballantine.

Daniel, S. 1995, Leaving abuse behind, Poolbeg Press.

Parks, P. 1994, Rescuing the 'inner child': therapy for adults sexually abused as children, Souvenir Press.

Sanford, LT. 1991, Strong at the Broken Places; overcoming the trauma of childhood abuse, Virago Press

Wilson, M. 1993, Crossing the boundary: black women, incest and survival, Virago.

Personal experiences

Angelou, M. 1984, I know why the caged bird sings, Virago.

Danica, E. 1989, Don't: a woman's word, The Women's Press.

Fraser, S. 1989, My father's house, a memoir of incest and healing, Virago.

Kirk, P. (ed). 1994, A survivor myself: experiences of child abuse, Yorkshire Arts Circus.

Spring, J. 1990, Cry hard and swim: the story of an incest survivor, Virago.

Publications for male survivors

Cresswell, M. (On behalf of Survivors Sheffield) Male survivors: a self-help pack.

Lew, M. 1990, Victims no longer, HarperCollins.

Lew, M. 2000, Leaping upon the mountains: men proclaiming victory over sexual child abuse, North Atlantic Books.

Thomas, T. 1989, Men surviving incest: a male survivor shares the process of recovery, Self Esteem Shop.

Publications for children and young people

Bain, O. and Sanders, M. 1990, Out in the open: a guide for young people who have been sexually abused, Virago.

Freeman, L and Deach, C. 1984, It's my body: a book to teach young children how to resist uncomfortable touch, Parenting Press Incorporated.

Kehoe, P and Deach, C. 1987, Something happened and I'm scared to tell: a book for young victims of abuse, Parenting Press Incorporated.

Lee, S. 1995, The survivor's guide: a guide for teenage girls who are survivors of sexual abuse, Sage Publications.

This factsheet was originally written by Jackie Golding. It was revised and updated by Tany Alexander, February 2006.