FLOW Film Event

Experiencing childhood sexual abuse impacts people in two ways: primary symptoms and coping strategies to relieve those symptoms. Mental Health symptoms include nightmares, dissociation, depression, anxiety and low self-esteem. CSA is also associated with higher rates of interpersonal violence and abuse in adulthood. People try to manage symptoms through the use of coping strategies. These work in the short term but some have negative effects. Examples include: substance abuse, risky sexual behavior, self-harm and disordered eating

Informing others about the experience of a traumatic event is termed disclosure and is a key point of recovery for those who experienced sexual abuse as a child. Disclosure is an experience that is repeated in a multitude of different relationships and contexts. Willingness to disclose is always influenced by the response from the listener. Each disclosure of childhood sexual abuse can have a significant impact upon the individual. It is really important that professionals respond in a supportive way to disclosure because a poor response can stop people trying to access services again. This continues the negative impact on the victims health and prevents any investigation into the abuser

Unfortunately as a society we can silence people trying to disclose abuse by using neutralisation techniques. These include: blaming the victim, denying or minimising harm and recommending silence by appealing to their loyalty to their family or community.

Safety is vital for recovery. People who have experienced CSA can became involved in abusive relationships in adulthood. This means that supportive friends, partners, professionals and communities are very important to help create that sense of safety. Creative and physical activities that are challenging but achievable, absorbing and fun create a mental state called flow. During flow people release emotions, feel less anxious, more in control and safer. Recovery, like abuse, is an embodied experience.