Psychiatrists apologise for ‘avoidable harm’ in sexual abuse survivor treatment

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By Daniel Pye

Survivors of non-recent child sexual abuse have suffered “avoidable harm” when seeking help, the Royal College of Psychiatrists has said.

In the foreword to a new position statement on how best to treat those who have experienced abuse, the college apologised for not previously creating the right environment for patients to come forward.

Dr Lade Smith, immediate past president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych), said survivors described “painful experiences of re-traumatisation when disclosing abuse,” misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment and care planning.

“This will feel like an uncomfortable and unfair criticism of psychiatrists and other mental health professionals who dedicate their lives to helping their patients, particularly those who do work hard to get this right.

“But we need to acknowledge that sometimes unintentional harm can be caused by what is considered best or normal practice, by a lack of training or awareness, or by how healthcare systems and structures can impede the delivery of holistic care,” she wrote.