Who Might Commit Sexual Abuse or Sexual Violence?

The truth is that this is not a question that can easily be answered. There is no one ‘type’ of person that commits sexual abuse or sexual violence. At Jordans, we hear about abuse carried out by all kinds of people and in all kinds of environments, but it can be helpful to know how to recognise abusive behaviour. 

Understanding who might commit sexual abuse or sexual violence is not about creating suspicion, it is about recognising patterns of behaviour and power that can help survivors identify when abuse has occurred and, equally as important, feel confident that the law will take their experience seriously.

There is no single profile of a perpetrator

While there is no reliable way to identify someone who commits sexual abuse or sexual violence based on their appearance, background, profession, or social standing, research consistently shows that, most of the time, an abuser is known to the survivor. They might be a family member, friend or individual in a position of power such as a teacher, supervisor or pastoral carer. 

It is important to remember that most people in a position of trust or influence are not seeking to abuse. However, where this does occur, the common theme is that the abuser does not act in the survivor’s best interest and may look to exploit or create vulnerability, dependency or isolation. 

The impact

As perpetrators are often trusted or respected, survivors may feel conflicted and struggle to reconcile what happened with who the person appeared to be. This can create confusion, self-doubt, and can even cause an individual to feel they need to remain silent to protect themselves from retaliation. 

An experience of abuse itself can be deeply traumatic and often the impact will stay with an individual for many years, if not a lifetime. The fact that the survivor may have trusted the perpetrator may only worsen this effect and can lead to mistrust of authority figures or a perceived need to distance themselves to avoid further harm in the future. Therefore, abuse is not just about what has happened, but who did this. 

Taking control – you are not alone

As already discussed, most instances of sexual abuse or sexual violence involve some form of pre-existing relationship with the abuser who, as already mentioned, may create guilt or directly pressure the survivor to remain silent. It can be difficult to speak up as a result. We often find it can take many years to acknowledge an experience of abuse and find the courage to take action, and we understand how hard this can be. 

Unfortunately, in cases where the abuse has not been reported for many years, or even decades, it is not uncommon for the perpetrator to have passed away, be deemed unfit to answer to their crimes or even have left the country. These are all factors that can impede justice meaning it is best to come forward as soon as (and if) you feel able to. It can also benefit any potential legal case if you have been able to report the sexual abuse promptly, and it may also increase the chances the perpetrator is brought to justice. 

However, the law does recognise that a delay in disclosing your experience to the police or a lawyer should not negate what has happened. Time is never a barrier to seeking help. 

Help and support 

We would always recommend that survivors of sexual abuse and sexual violence get in touch with an appropriate support service. There are a number of charities dedicated to helping you come to terms with the abuse and supporting you in the road ahead. We partner with Safeline, a charity dedicated to offering support and counselling to survivors of abuse.

Our expert team are trained in handling sensitive cases of abuse or sexual violence. We may be able to get you compensation for your experience. You should get in touch by calling 03303 001103 or emailing [email protected] for a free consultation.

You should also consider reporting your experience to the police. Not only are the police required to investigate every complaint they receive. Also, the identification or conviction of an abuser can be significant in ensuring both justice and the success of a compensation claim, which is where we might be able to help.