Senior doctors have stated that the NHS is failing individuals who were sexually abused as children and seek mental health support in adulthood. The Royal College of Psychiatrists is issuing a public apology, acknowledging decades of mismanagement and misdiagnosis that, in some cases, have worsened trauma.

The college's report, shared with the BBC, highlights that mental health staff have often focused on treating symptoms rather than exploring how past traumatic experiences continue to affect patients. While acknowledging that support is improving, the report stresses the need for better training and increased investment, measures that NHS bosses say are being implemented.

Dr. Lade Smith, the immediate past president of the college, expressed regret that victims have "suffered avoidable harm when seeking help." The report details instances of inappropriate treatment, re-traumatization through repeated assessments, and a lack of belief from healthcare providers. Dr. Smith emphasized that the issue is not solely a failing of psychiatrists but a broader problem within the entire mental health system, which is often fragmented and geared towards short-term care.

"Services are so fragmented," Dr. Smith stated. "The system is set up to provide short, discreet episodes of care. Psychiatrists do not get the time to build up a relationship with patients so they can be properly supported. They are lucky if they get eight sessions of therapy, when it could take eight sessions for a person just to disclose the abuse."

Estimates suggest that nearly one in ten adults in England and Wales experienced sexual abuse in childhood. This trauma significantly increases the risk of developing mental health issues, including substance misuse, eating disorders, complex PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Many survivors struggle to disclose their experiences, with around two-thirds not reporting it to services by adulthood, and one in five never disclosing at all.

Caroline Thompson, 65, shared her experience of feeling let down by the NHS. Abused as a child, she later developed terrifying nightmares in her mid-50s, impacting her ability to function. Despite a successful career as an ear, nose, and throat doctor, she was referred to mental health services. The psychiatrist she saw questioned the link between her symptoms and the abuse due to the delay in seeking help and her apparent successful life.

Thompson was diagnosed with anxiety and prescribed anti-psychotic drugs, receiving about a year of therapy before being discharged. She stated she still didn't understand what was happening to her and could not function due to the nightmares and medication side-effects, ultimately leading her to give up her career.

The report calls for a fundamental shift in how the NHS approaches the long-term mental health needs of survivors of childhood sexual abuse. It advocates for more sustained and trauma-informed care, recognizing that healing from such deep-seated trauma requires time, trust, and a comprehensive understanding of its lasting impact.