Child abuse

Lucy Breakwell
The Politics Show North West

Abused children 'need more help and support'

The latest in our "A Political Struggle" series, examines the issue of child abuse. This week is Elin's story...

Elin, now 26-years-old, was sexually abused by her dad.

The abuse continued until he died when she was 15-years-old.

Elin was a bubbly child who had many friends.

It was only when she hit her teenage years that the effects of the abuse began to show.

She tried to commit suicide and became very angry.

Terrible legacy

Elin says that almost every decision she has made in her adult life has been made because of the abuse she suffered as a child.

She did not finish her A Levels because she wanted to get away from the place in which she was abused.

Instead of going to university, she left home and got a job.

She says the abuse is something she will never forget and is still suffering from the side effects today.

No help with therapy

Elin is having therapy at the moment, but has to pay for it.

She says she has tried to get help on the National Health Service, but, despite ringing over 200 different agencies and support groups, she has found no where to take her.

Elin is now urging the government to do more to help people in the same situation as she thinks there needs to be more training for NHS staff to deal with and recognise the signs of sexual abuse.

She would also like to see more funding for therapists to treat the mental health effects of sexual abuse.

Charity supportive

It is a sentiment echoed by Peter Saunders, who was abused as a child himself, and founded the support group, Napac "National Association of People Abused in Childhood".

According to Peter, his group is the only national charity in the country with a free phone for survivors of child abuse.

It gets an average of 800 calls a week.

It is a low profile charity, which Peter says shows the number of people out there needing help.

Meanwhile, life is looking up for Elin and she is positive about the future.

Her ambition is to help other survivors of abuse.

Watch the Politics Show on BBC One on Sunday 24 February 2008 from 12:00 GMT to watch Elin's story.

We are joined in the studio by Peter Saunders from Napac and also hear from Professor Louis Appleby, the government's "Mental Health Tsar".

"My wife died as a result of her child abuse. Throughout her life she accessed various avenues of help but none were tailored to deal with abuse problems".

"I am 63 and my dads abuse in childhood has affected me all my life. I had counselling but it is arguable whether it helps. An answer to why it happens would be the only thing that would set me free".

"I was abused by both my parents not only did I not get any help mentally I couldn't get them charged with any crime either even though I had medical evidence".

"Services virtually none existant for the abused. Many turn to alcohol".

"I think society has done a great job in making it easier to admit when we have been abused".

"I'm so glad your programme is raising this issue. I live in the North West and suffered horrific physical, sexual and psychological abuse. As a direct result of this I have multiple personality disorders".

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