These are some of the experiences of child sexual abuse shared with the Truth Project by victims and survivors. All names and identifying details have been changed.
Download a PDF sample of accountsread full account of Darrens experienceDarren says that being abused distorted his idea of what was ‘normal’ in relationships
Darren was sexually abused as a child when he lived in military accommodation.
His behaviour deteriorated as a result, and because he was considered to be ‘bad’. He thought no one would believe him if he spoke about the abuse.
read full account of Esmes experienceEsme says ‘It is only going to be better when I am dead as I won't have to deal with it’
Esme was born into a chaotic household where there had already been sexual abuse of children.
Throughout her childhood and teenage years she was sexually abused by a series of men. In one case the abuse was enabled by her mother.
read full account of Reggies experienceAfter several foster placements, Reggie thought being in a children’s home would be fun
When Reggie was being sexually abused by an older boy in a care home, no one in authority seemed to care.
He says ‘What concerns me as an adult is how many loopholes there are and how easy it is for a predator to thrive in that situation’.
read full account of Nataliyas experienceNataliya sedated herself with over-the-counter medication to try to stop her stepfather abusing her
Nataliya was born into a Traveller family and a strict upbringing barred her from mixing with non-Travellers or anyone of the opposite sex.
She was sexually abused for more than 10 years by a family member.
read full account of Gabriels experienceGabriel feels that more support might have stopped his life spiralling out of control
Gabriel and his sibling were sexually abused by their father.
His father was given a character reference by his church and Gabriel thinks this helped ensure he received a very short sentence.
read full account of Joels experienceJoel often wonders what he would have been like if he had not been sexually abused
Joel enjoyed playing a racquet sport and when he was about 12 years old, he joined a club. He was talented, and under the instruction of a respected coach called Dennis he began playing for the county.
Dennis offered to start collecting Joel from home and take him to the club. He sexually abused Joel the first time he took him in his car, and the abuse continued for another three years.
read full account of Carmelas experienceCarmela was not believed about being abused and was held responsible for causing trouble
Carmela was sexually abused by her best friend’s father.
During police inquiries, it emerged that she had under-age sex with her boyfriend, but neither episodes of abuse were taken seriously.
read full account of Carrie-Anns experienceCarrie-Ann firmly believes that it should be mandatory to report child sexual abuse
Carrie-Ann was raised as a Jehovah’s Witness and was sexually abused by family members.
She believes the religion she grew up with enables and protects abusers.
read full account of Mays experienceMay wants children to know that sexual abuse can happen within a ‘family’ and not just with strangers
From a very young age May was sexually abused on numerous occasions, often in her home. This made her vulnerable to more abusers, one of whom was another child.
Her attempt to tell a member of staff at school what was happening was not met with an effective response. This added to her feeling that she was not safe anywhere.
read full account of Fearnes experienceFearne says ‘I used to think that when people like you, they want to do these things to you’
Neglected and uncared for by her parents, Fearne was sexually abused as a child by several different people.
It took many years for her to understand that she had been abused, and she believes social services regarded her as a ‘problem child’, whose problems were of her own making.
read full account of Jon-Jays experienceJon-Jay wants to see an end to the secrecy and shame that surrounds child sexual abuse
Jon-Jay was sexually abused by a teacher at his boarding school.
He hopes that speaking out about his experience will help him overcome the shame he has carried for 70 years.
read full account of Annikas experienceWhen Annika resisted her abusive father, he suffocated her until she thought she might die
Annika had a very difficult childhood. ‘It was a terrible home’ she says.
Her father was violent towards her mother and sexually abused Annika for as far back as she can remember.