I’m struggling to help my daughter after she was sexually assaulted at a party
DEAR DEIDRE: MY daughter was sexually assaulted at a party and has since tried to take her own life.
She’s also been cutting herself, and I’m desperately worried about her. I don’t know how to help her.
She’s 16 and I’m her dad, aged 48. Before the assault, she was a happy girl, with lots of friends, and she was doing well at school.
But since that night, she’s become mentally unwell.
She’s failing her studies and she doesn’t want to see her friends. I’ve tried asking her about what happened, but she doesn’t want to talk, especially to a man.
However, her mum can’t get through to her either. She’s become so withdrawn and barely speaks or eats.
My heart is breaking for her and I’m so anxious about what she might do.
Please help us.
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DEIDRE SAYS: Seeing your child go through something like this must feel unbearable, especially as you feel helpless to make the situation better.
Even if she won’t talk to you or her mum, encourage her to contact Rape Crisis (rapecrisis.org.uk, 0808 500 2222) for support.
My advice pack on Sexual Assault has more information and more sources of help. You should both read my Self-harm support pack.
Self-harm is a response to emotional pain.
It’s very worrying that she tried to kill herself.
An organisation called Papyrus, which works to prevent young suicide, can help (papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 4141).
You need support too. Talk to the YoungMinds Parents’ Helpline (youngminds.org.uk, 0808 802 5544).
