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 Glenns experienceAfter a lifetime of physical abuse, Glenn thought a sexual abuser was showing him love
Glenn’s story begins when he was taken away from his homeless mother soon after he was born and taken into care. His mother was denied visitation rights and she had passed away by the time he left care. He never knew the identity of his father.
He spent time in several different children’s homes across the country. During this time, he suffered physical and sexual abuse by his carers and at the hands of regular visitors approved by the homes.
read full account of Olives experienceOlive feels as if the ‘videos’ of abuse are in her head and follow her everywhere
Olive grew up in the 1950s with her parents and two brothers. Her mother was violent but she knows she was loved by her father, ‘though he said little’.
She was sexually abused by her eldest brother, and by an elderly neighbour in whose home she sought refuge from the abuse she suffered from family members.
read full account of Eddies experienceEddie was sexually abused at a youth club and it has affected his relationships ever since
When Eddie was sexually abused as a young boy by a man his parents trusted, one of his main concerns was that he should not make life difficult for other people by telling anyone about it.
Eddie describes his life as a constant battle to recover from what happened to him. He was 11 years old when he joined a sports club run by Doug, a friend of his parents they assumed their son would be safe with.
read full account of Zoes experienceZoe’s caring responsibilities and erratic family life left her open to grooming by older men
From a young age Zoe took on caring responsibilities beyond her years. With a school and family life that was erratic at times, she was left vulnerable to grooming by older men.
Zoe’s father had mental health issues. Her mother struggled to cope with the changes in her relationship with her husband and began to use alcohol. Zoe remembers feeling the need to protect her parents. She had a sibling, but she says they preferred to ‘do their own thing and didn’t take on caring responsibilities’. Zoe feels she did not have much support – although services were working with her father there was no provision for the rest of the family. Other than an older relative, Zoe had no one she felt able to talk to.
read full account of Pippas experiencePippa’s family doctor said that he felt sorry for men who were accused of sexual abuse
As a young child, Pippa was punished harshly if she stayed out of her house for too long.
This didn’t stop her going out, because being beaten was not as bad as being sexually abused by her father.
read full account of Doms experienceThe evidence Dom gave against the Scout leader who abused him helped to secure a conviction
Dom gives an account of his case of child sexual abuse, which he feels was handled well by the police and the justice system.
He adds ‘I was lucky enough to have parents that supported me’.
read full account of Orsons experienceOrson says ‘When the abuse is going on you think it’s normal. It’s only when you leave you realise’
Orson suffered neglect, extreme physical abuse and sexual abuse by his mother.
He thinks that people should be more aware that women can and do abuse as well as men.
read full account of Dougals experienceDougal became a drug addict after he was sexually abused, but says he is doing well with his recovery
Dougal opted to go into care permanently when he was 13 because he thought he would be safer there than in his family home.
But in different children’s homes, he was physically abused by staff and sexually abused by an older boy.
read full account of Joeys experienceJoey says ‘I know I have been hiding a significant experience and trauma I suffered in my life’
For many years as an adult, when Joey was under stress, he would suffer nightmares and ‘day terrors’.
It was only when he heard that a man who had sexually abused him had been convicted of abusing others, that the detailed memories he had suppressed came back to him.
read full account of Pierces experienceWhen Pierce disclosed abuse by Catholic priests, his family sided with the church against him
The Catholic church had great influence and control over Pierce’s family and community.
He was sent to a small religious college, which put him at the mercy of a group of sadistic and abusive priests.
read full account of Tamaras experienceNo one had ever looked at Tamara, or talked to her, the way her abuser did
Tamara’s mum suffered with mental health difficulties and was in constant fear of ending up in a mental health hospital. This meant that the mother and daughter roles were reversed.
A man groomed her with flattery and attention, then sexually and verbally abused her. She blamed herself for what happened.
read full account of Felixs experienceFelix says 'You're like a little child crying out in the wilderness and nobody's listening'
Felix was sexually abused by a church chorister when he was a child.
He finds it very hard to come to terms with the fact that for many decades, the half an hour of abuse that was inflicted on him has had a lasting impact on his life.