As a child it can sometimes be difficult to understand when traumatic things happen to us. If you were abused or hurt as a child or young person you might not have realised it at the time, but the effects of the event or events may stay with you as you become an adult.
When a young person is under the age of 18 your local authority can act to support and protect you by initiating child protection procedures.
Citizen’s Advice advise that there are several options available to you which depend on:
If the abuse is still happening who you contact will depend on the type of abuse you’re experiencing.
Both Swansea and Neath Port Talbot have specialist domestic abuse services, as well as sexual violence advocates. You may wish to contact these organisations to find out what your options are. They can also support you to speak to the police if you choose.
It might feel very difficult to report the abuse to the authorities, however this might help them what next steps might need to be taken to protect other people. It might also help you to find out if anything has happened to the person who has abused you.
If the abuse has stopped, you might want to consider:
- contacting a specialist organisation for support and counselling – for more information please see below
- reporting the abuse to the police. You will be put through to a specialist chid protection team who deal with child abuse offences committed in the past. Call: 101
- consider taking court action against the abuser or claiming compensation
- consider medical tests for STDs (for more information please visit Sorted:Supported page Staying safe with sex)
The support organisations listed below might help you to think about all your options in more detail.
Support if the abuse is still happening
Visit the Sorted:Supported Staying Safe page by clicking here.
Support if the abuse has stopped
National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC)
NAPAC provides advice to adults who have been abused in childhood. They can refer you to local counselling, support and help groups. They also have a helpline and produce useful booklets.
Support line: 0808 801 0331 (free and will not show on a phone bill)
Monday to Thursday 10am – 9pm, Friday 10am to 6pm
