Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse - Impacts on the mental health sector

Royal CommissionArticle by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
 

It doesn’t come as a surprise to most that there is a well-established link between child sexual assault and adverse mental health conditions later in life.

What is perhaps lesser known, is that it is not only the impact of the abuse itself that can lead to devastating outcomes for survivors. The impact of the response to this abuse is just as critical.

To better understand the way our institutions (such as schools, clubs and churches) have responded to child sexual assault is one of the main aims of the current Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

Now in its second year, the Commission has heard from thousands of survivors, many of whom have mental health issues, who have taken the extraordinarily brave step to recount some of their most personal and painful stories of child sexual abuse at the hands of various institutions.

These stories will help inform debate, and later create policies, laws and practices that ensure - so far as possible - that the sexual abuse of children while in the care of an institution never happens again.

The way abuse is handled has a significant effect on a survivor’s physical and mental health, as well as their social and educational outcomes.

If a survivor’s family, church or school deny or minimise abuse that has occurred, victims can be re-traumatised.

The top ten most common impacts of child sexual abuse reported by survivors in a private session with a Commissioner are: difficulties with trust and intimacy, depression, lack of trust of authority, anxiety, low self-esteem, alcohol abuse, leaving school early, marital problems, thoughts of suicide and academic difficulties.

Commissioners are also hearing about how past abuse can prevent survivors from being productive in the workforce - as a result of low self-esteem, isolation and the debilitating effects of having to carry the burden of a secret for so long. All this can actually stop people from functioning.

The Royal Commission has also borne witness to survivors’ many stories of resilience and courage in overcoming these effects.

The Royal Commission employs a trauma-informed approach in all its interaction with survivors.

This involves a strong focus on providing a safe environment and the right support for people, particularly those with mental health issues, to come forward.

The Royal Commission will make sure that people’s privacy and confidentiality is protected and that survivors have a clear understanding of the processes involved in sharing their story.

The Royal Commission provides a range of options for people to share their story, from written submissions, to phone calls, to appearing at a private session. Survivors may wish for someone to speak on their behalf, or to have support people – a spouse, friend or caseworker – present when they share their story.

Some people who have severe mental health issues may need special support. If someone feels overwhelmed by their feelings and perhaps even feels suicidal each time they talk about their past experience, support staff can work closely with them in preparation of their story.

Counsellors are present to provide debriefing at every private session and the Royal Commission makes referrals to follow up counselling services if required.

While the Royal Commission welcomes and can learn from hearing the experiences of survivors sharing their stories, many survivors themselves also describe the experience of coming forward and talking as positive.

Survivors have used words such as lighter, a weight off my back, relief, elation, gratitude and empowering when reflecting on the experience of sharing their story.

One survivor noted “Every time I speak up I feel stronger in myself and surer about what I am doing and what I have achieved. It lessens the power they have over me.”

Another said “After 50 years I finally feel I’ve been heard. People have listened to me before, but no one has really heard me.”

Given the right support and a safe environment, allowing people who have been traumatised the opportunity to open up and talk about their past experience can be positive step towards their recovery.

Case Study

The subject of this case study has been de-identified to protect privacy.

John, who is now 63, was abused as a boy by a teacher at his Catholic School. He didn’t disclose his abuse.

Much later in life, at the birth of his first child, he became anxious and depressed. He worried about being able to protect his son and feared becoming an abuser himself. He was referred to a psychiatrist for treatment. It was at this point that he disclosed his own abuse for the first time.

Life continued until he reached his 50s and developed health problems. His children moved away and he was made redundant from work. His anxiety returned, he became suicidal and was put under the care of a Mental Health team. After hearing about the Royal Commission, John wanted to come forward to tell his story about his past abuse - to name what happened - but was worried it would make his symptoms worse.

He contacted the Royal Commission and staff talked to him about what supports he would need to help him share his story. He indicated he would like his caseworker from the Mental Health team to accompany him and with his agreement, staff at the Commission liaised with his Mental Health team to ensure all his needs were met.

John shared his story with the Commissioner in a private session. He was glad he had the opportunity, and considered whether he wanted to hand over information to police for further investigation. Additionally, having had a positive experience of disclosure at the Royal Commission meant he felt able to disclose his childhood abuse to his children.

While his anxiety and depression is still being monitored, he is coping well. He feels relieved and better able to talk about what has happened in the past without fear of what people will think of him. His past is having less impact on his present life.

For more information about supporting people with mental health issues who may wish to speak to the Royal Commission, read Mental Health Australia’s fact sheet.

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Article contributed to the newsletter Perspectives - October 2014. Please note that this article is from an individual contributor and does not necessarily reflect the views of Mental Health Australia

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