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 Juans experienceJuan’s experiences left him with the perception that ‘treats have to be paid for’
Juan grew up in a large family and had a difficult childhood, suffering physical and emotional abuse.
After his parents separated he was abused by a number of his mother’s male friends, who sensed his vulnerability.
read full account of Dexters experience‘I just wanted my mum to love me’ says Dexter
Dexter’s earliest memories are of feeling no love from his parents, only fear.
Desperate for affection, he was grateful for the hugs his older brother gave him. But this comfort was a prelude to sexual abuse.
read full account of Peters experiencePeter was abused by teachers and other boys in a residential school for the deaf
Peter is deaf. As a child he was sent to a boarding school for the deaf because, he says, his parents believed he would fare better in this environment.
But their trust in the school was betrayed by teachers who sexually abused their son and other boys.
read full account of Kayes experienceFor many years, Kaye minimised the sexual abuse she endured, but she is now proud to be a survivor
A music teacher sexually abused Kaye nearly every week for three years.
His barrister cross-examined her so harshly in court the judge had to remind him Kaye was only 11 years old.
read full account of Kaydens experienceWhen Kayden complained he had been sexually abused, school staff said it was just ‘messing about’
When Kayden was in primary school, he was diagnosed with both a learning and a physical disability.
A primary school teacher had pushed for extra help to support Kayden’s educational needs, and the local authority found a boarding school that seemed suitable.
read full account of Kylie s experienceKylie feels that her family was failed by social services after they fostered an abusive teenager
Kylie and her sister were sexually abused by a teenage boy who was fostered by her parents.
She gave a written account of her experiences to the Truth Project.
read full account of Abbies experienceAbbie didn’t realise the impact sexual abuse had on her until she was in her 50s
Years of sexual abuse, perpetrated by a priest who exploited a family connection to gain access to Abbie as a young child, has had a profoundly destructive effect on some aspects of her life for decades.
Abbie’s family had a strong affiliation with the church and had known Father Paul, a senior clergyman, for many years. He took advantage of these circumstances to abuse her between the ages of seven and 11 years.
read full account of Laurens experienceAs well as struggling with gender identity, Lauren had to cope with violence and sexual abuse
Lauren grew up in a violent and troubled home with alcoholic parents.
She was physically, emotionally and sexually abused by her mother. Later, her mother’s pimp orchestrated the rape of Lauren by a group of men.
read full account of Bethanys experienceBethany feels strongly that changes in children’s behaviour should not be ignored
For as far back as Bethany can remember, she was physically, sexually and mentally abused by her father, and she believes her siblings were too.
She thinks that a lot of things in her childhood could have been handled differently by the adults around her.
read full account of Danielles experienceDanielle was made pregnant by an employee of a charity for vulnerable young people
Danielle’s family life was marred by addiction and violence.
She remembers feeling anxious at an early age, and believes this made her vulnerable to abuse by several men.
read full account of Reillys experienceAt first Reilly felt safe with his mother’s new boyfriend, because he wasn’t violent like the others
Reilly was sexually abused by his mother’s partner, who was a convicted child abuser.
Social services later visited his mother to warn that her younger children were at risk, but did not remove them.
read full account of Lucilles experienceLucille says ‘this emotional, angry burden caused by the abuse has raised its head many times’
The Catholic Church protected a priest after being told the priest had sexually abused Lucille.
She says ‘It’s only now that I can find the words to express how my life has been affected by the abuse’.