Royal College of Psychiatrists apologizes for failures in supporting abuse survivors

The Royal College of Psychiatrists has issued a public apology and released a new position statement addressing the systemic failure to support adult survivors of non-recent child sexual abuse (NRCSA). The college acknowledged decades of mismanagement and misdiagnosis within mental health services, including the NHS, which have often failed to provide appropriate, trauma-informed care.

Co-produced with survivors, the statement highlights that the mental health impacts of childhood abuse can last a lifetime, often manifesting as complex trauma in adulthood. The college noted that many survivors face barriers to support, including professionals who lack specialized training or who unintentionally reinforce shame.

To address these failures, the Royal College of Psychiatrists is calling for several systemic reforms, including mandatory trauma-informed care training for all mental health staff, improved national guidance for recognizing historical abuse disclosures, and the implementation of longer therapy sessions and better access to specialist support.