for those of you who have suffered childhood sexual abuse, could you please help me?

[timetosmile]

I am a MNer and also a healthcare professional in RL. I have come accross a lovely 17year old girl, whose abuse at the hands of an older male member of her extended family several years ago (for an extended period of time) has become quite raw again, as the perpetrator has just been jailed.

I know there are so many counselling organisations/internet based support options out there, but which ones to recommend?

She's actually coping amazingly, I'm really proud of her, continuing to get good grades in school, so she's not in 'crisis' but I'd love to be able to point her towards some decent, reputable help. Thanks a lot x

As a 17 year old, would Childline be able to support her? There is also victim support. It might be worth her contacting her gp. There is also napac, but that is for adults who were abused as children. Another thought, would be to try the local rape crisis centre, as I don't think that they confine themselves to rape victims.

There is always Camhs, but, to be honest, I haven't found them much use.

That may give some ideas for starters.

hth

Rape crisis are fantastic I'm undergoing counselling there for childhood sexual abuse.

thanks, that's very helpful..I think she is looking for something a little bit more informal than cahms, I'm really looking for things she could access on her own terms, rather than be referred via GP, so she feels a bit more empowered about it.

As a child I went to a psychotherapist (?) but I think that was just evidence gathering really (nothing ever happened, he's a 'lovely' man and 'so old' and memories from someone aged 2.5-4yrs old apparently aren't evidence) also saw a counsellor at a young peoples centre, it was fine but I wasn't interested in it, I didn't want to talk about it or let him have any impact on my life. I'd been living with it my whole life so saw it as a bit pointless to talk about it...
Her GP could get her counselling but waiting lists are really long.
A diary of thoughts could help too, like she writes in it whenever she wants to stop her head running wild and tormenting her all day in the meantime?

My friend went on the internet to look for a BACP reg'd counsellor who specialised in teenagers/adolescent issues. She paid privately and found one who 'got' her. She had been advised to make sure the counsellor felt 'right' for her and if not keep seeking that right one. She tried two others for a first session and they didn't seem to be people she felt a warmth from.

That was two years ago and after 20 weekly sessions she's a different person. It's like gaining an old friend with the benefits of inner confidence! I wish the same for you X