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 Fazeens experienceThe police did not see Fazeen as a credible witness and thought she was complicit with the abuse
Fazeen was groomed and abused by a teacher in her secondary school.
She feels that the police might have treated the case differently if she had been white and the abuser had been Asian, instead of the other way round.
read full account of Maggies experienceMaggie left the area where she grew up because of the bad memories it holds for her
Maggie describes growing up with her brother in a house where they were not allowed to play, make any noise or have toys.
From the age of seven to 10 years, she was sexually abused by two men in her local community, but was told not to ‘make a fuss’ when she tried to tell her mother what was happening.
read full account of Amy-Jos experienceAmy-Jo felt doubted and disbelieved when social services and the police could not produce her records
Amy-Jo was sexually abused by an older boy who was fostered by her parents.
She feels that her welfare was not a priority for them or social services.
read full account of Taras experienceDespite her achievements, Tara knows she is still severely affected by her childhood experiences
While in private foster care, arranged by her parents, Tara endured sexual and emotional abuse, and racism.
She grew up to excel and achieve highly in a professional career, but says ‘It’s always at the back of my mind’.
read full account of Olwyns experienceOlwyn wishes that professionals could have ‘seen beyond the behaviour to the abused child’
Olwyn was neglected as a child and sexually abused at home by her stepfather.
Some years later she ran away to escape but endured more abuse in the care system.
read full account of Courtneys experienceCourtney’s health condition made her vulnerable to sexual abuse by a classmate
Courtney suffered from a neurological disorder when she was in primary school.
Her illness made her feel isolated, and she found it hard to form friendships. She was happy when a boy wanted to be friends with her, but his friendship turned into an abusive relationship.
read full account of Asads experienceAsad says ‘It would have helped at the time if someone had told me it wasn’t my fault’
Asad was sexually abused by a figure of authority in his religious community.
Decades later, he is still trying to overcome his feelings of self-loathing and guilt about the abuse.
read full account of Davies experienceDavie is distressed that the man who abused him was left free to commit more offences
Davie was interviewed by the police when he had injuries caused by an attempted rape.
But the abuser was not prosecuted and he went on to abuse other children.
read full account of Ciars experienceCiar says ‘The thing I've struggled with the most was my "responsibility" in all of this abuse’
As a teenager, Ciar was trapped and blackmailed by an online sexual abuser.
It has taken more than 10 years for her to begin to overcome an overwhelming sense of guilt and shame about being abused.
read full account of Valentines experienceValentine says of her family circumstances ‘I don’t know how anyone could not raise questions’
Valentine’s mother had serious mental health problems.
She thinks that the professionals involved with the family should have paid more attention to the welfare of the children.
read full account of Kriss experienceKris was determined to protect his sister from the man who sexually abused him
After being moved around different care placements, Kris and his sister were fostered by a social worker.
Kris would not tell anyone his foster father was sexually abusing him, because he was worried that he and his sister would be sent to a children’s home.
read full account of Jackie s experience30 years after she was raped by a teacher, Jackie reported it to the police
Jackie was doing well at school, socially and academically, until an event happened that had devastating consequences on her life. When she was in her early teens a teacher at her school raped her and it was 30 years before she was able to report it to the police.
The rape had a profoundly negative and lasting effect on her life, and she has clear views on how investigation processes and the judicial system could be improved to support victims more effectively.