June is PTSD Awareness Month—a time to shed light on a condition that impacts millions of people, many of whom are survivors of childhood sexual abuse. While the public often associates Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with combat veterans or first responders, sexual trauma—especially in children—also causes deeply rooted PTSD.
Unpacking the Hidden Wounds of Sexual Abuse
At Andreozzi + Foote, we work with survivors every day whose lives have been shaped by the lasting effects of abuse. Too often, these survivors have gone decades without a diagnosis, without support, and without justice. This month, we call attention to the invisible wounds many survivors carry—and what caregivers, families, and communities can do to support healing.
PTSD Is a Common—But Underrecognized—Response to Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse, especially in childhood, is a form of complex trauma. And yet, doctors and mental health professionals often underdiagnose PTSD in survivors, especially when the abuse happened years earlier or was never disclosed. Many survivors fail to recognize that their emotional distress, physical symptoms, or behavior patterns stem from unhealed trauma. Here is what we know:
- 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 6 boys are sexually abused before the age of 18.
- Survivors of childhood sexual abuse are 3-5 times more likely to develop PTSD.
- Symptoms can show up immediately—or years later, often triggered by a memory, news story, relationship, or life change.
- LGBTQ+ youth, BIPOC communities, and individuals with prior trauma histories are at even greater risk of developing PTSD following abuse.
PTSD Symptoms Often Go Unnoticed or Misunderstood
Because PTSD affects each person differently, it is often misdiagnosed as depression, anxiety, or behavioral issues—especially in children and teens. That’s why early awareness and trauma-informed intervention are critical.
Common signs of PTSD in survivors of sexual abuse:
- Flashbacks or nightmares
- Avoidance of places, people, or memories associated with the trauma
- Hypervigilance, irritability, or emotional outbursts
- Detachment or emotional numbness
- Sleep problems, panic attacks, or chronic fatigue
- In children: regression, withdrawal, difficulty in school, or aggressive behavior
Tips & Tools for Parents, Caregivers, and Allies
Healing from PTSD is possible, but it requires safety, support, and understanding. Here are practical ways to support a child, teen, or adult survivor in your life:
1. Create a Safe, Judgment-Free Environment
Allow them to express feelings without pressure or shame. Listen more than you speak. Never force disclosures.
2. Watch for Behavioral Changes
If you notice sudden mood swings, avoidance, or changes in sleep, appetite, or academics, check in gently.
3. Avoid Retraumatization
Be mindful of triggering environments, language, or assumptions. Respect boundaries—emotional and physical.
4. Encourage Trauma-Informed Therapy
Look for therapists trained in EMDR, TF-CBT, or somatic approaches that center safety and empowerment.
5. Educate Yourself
Understanding how PTSD shows up helps reduce stigma. Survivors are not “broken”—they’re surviving.
Legal Healing Is Emotional Healing, Too
Many survivors develop PTSD symptoms not just from the abuse—but because institutions that should have protected them silenced, disbelieved, or ignored them. That’s why civil lawsuits matter. They are not just legal tools—they are healing tools that give survivors power, voice, and validation.
If you or someone you love is struggling with the trauma of sexual abuse, you are not alone—and legal options may still be available, no matter how long ago the abuse occurred. State laws are changing, and windows are opening.
This PTSD Awareness Month, Let’s Show Up for Survivors
PTSD may be invisible—but survivors are not. Their stories, strength, and truth deserve to be recognized, supported, and honored. Healing is not linear, and justice is not always easy—but both are possible.
If you’re ready to explore your legal rights, our trauma-informed team is here to help. Every conversation is confidential. Every survivor is heard.
