The University of Sheffield
Help and Advice Topics

Surviving Sexual Abuse: Further Help

If you have been abused as a child, you might want help to make sense of your feelings and worries. This may be even more true if the abuse is continuing.

Many excellent books have been written on the subject - some are listed below. There are also many sites on the Web that are committed to supporting survivors. There is an index of such sites.

It can be very difficult to trust someone with something as personal as this and may require a lot of courage. It may be easier to share your feelings with a stranger rather than a friend.

Professional counselling agencies such as the University Counselling Service employ counsellors who are trained to work with the effects of child sexual abuse and who will not be shocked or embarrassed by anything you may tell them. Your preference for a male or female counsellor will be respected.

There are also many self-help groups where survivors of abuse share their experience in safety and learn to deal with the resulting emotions. Some initial contact addresses are listed below.

You will know when you are ready to read a book, join a group or talk to someone alone. Trust your instinct and seek help when the time is right for you.

Books

Breaking Free - Carolyn Ainscough and Kay Toon - Sheldon Press.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings - Maya Angelou - Virago.

My Father's House - S Fraser - Virago.
Personal accounts which survivors have found helpful.

The Courage to Heal - Bass and Davis - Harper and Row.
The most common book which many have found useful but which has been criticised in light of the false memory debate for treating many everyday personality traits as thought they were clear evidence of past abuse.

Helplines and Agencies

The following agencies maintain lists of survivors groups and other sources of help:

Local agencies offering counselling and support to survivors:- Sheffield Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Counselling Service, offers telephone and face to face counselling and organises support groups. Phone 0114 2447936 or email info@srasacs.org.uk

Sheffield Women's Counselling and Therapy Service offers free counselling to women survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Phone 0114 275 2157.

Survivors, Sheffield - offers counselling and support to male survivors of rape and sexual abuse, and their partners if appropriate. Phone 0114 279 6333 (help-line Mon 6-8pm, answerphone at other times).