Royal College of Psychiatrists apologises for failing abuse survivors
The Royal College of Psychiatrists has apologised for failing adults who were sexually abused as children, citing decades of mismanagement and misdiagnosis.
The Full Story
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The Royal College of Psychiatrists has issued a formal apology for failing adults who were sexually abused as children, acknowledging that many have suffered avoidable harm because of inadequate care. The apology comes after senior doctors told the BBC that the NHS is failing these patients when they seek help for mental health problems later in life.
Dr Lade Smith, immediate past president of the Royal College, said it was "appalling and terrible" that any child is sexually abused. She added: "It is also wrong that many survivors and victims have suffered avoidable harm as adults because they haven't received the care they need. They deserve compassionate, holistic, person-centred and trauma-informed support. And I'm sorry that too often this has not been the case."
The apology highlights a systemic problem. Dr Smith explained that child sexual abuse is far more common than many assume, affecting around one in five girls and one in ten boys. Survivors often take decades to disclose what happened, and when they do, the response from health services is often inadequate. Even when therapy is offered, it may be too short to build the trust needed for effective treatment.
Dr Smith called for a fundamental change in approach, arguing that mental health services need to be trauma-informed throughout the NHS. She said that survivors frequently end up in A&E or other services in distress, but the care they receive is neither clinically nor cost-effective. More intensive, longer-term therapy would help people recover properly and reduce their reliance on emergency services.
The Royal College's apology is a recognition that much more must be done. It signals a commitment to improving services for a group of patients who have been let down for decades.
On screen
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Key Claims
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Channel Perspectives
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The BBC focused on the formal apology and the interview with Dr Lade Smith, giving a platform to explain the scale of the problem and the need for systemic change. The tone was serious and explanatory, with an emphasis on the inadequacy of current mental health services and the case for trauma-informed care.
- “It is also wrong that many survivors and victims have suffered avoidable harm as adults because they haven't received the care they need.”
- “So, first of all, we need to recognise that unfortunately child sexual abuse is actually much more common than people think. One in five girls, one in ten boys.”
- “It might take that long for you to start developing a trusting relationship with a therapist, but you still don't get better.”
Broadcast Timeline
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