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Royal College of Psychiatrists apologizes over NHS care for adult survivors of childhood abuse

A report by senior doctors calls for mandatory trauma training and service reform following decades of misdiagnosis and fragmented care.

Updated Aug 26, 2026 · 04:23 UTC1 reports

The short version

  • The Royal College of Psychiatrists issued a public apology, acknowledging that the NHS has failed adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse through decades of misdiagnosis, inadequate time, and fragmented care.
  • A college report highlights that mental health services often focus on treating symptoms rather than addressing underlying trauma, sometimes re-traumatizing patients through repeated assessments.
  • The professional body is requesting mandatory trauma-informed care training for all mental health staff, national disclosure guidelines, and expanded long-term support services.
  • NHS England stated that 24/7 specialist trauma-informed support is available via referral centers and counselling, with extra training being deployed to school and college support teams.

Key facts

  • The Royal College of Psychiatrists issued a public apology for decades of misdiagnosis and mismanagement in treating adults who experienced childhood sexual abuse.[BBC News]
  • Dr. Lade Smith, immediate past president of the college, stated that patients often face fragmented care and limited therapy sessions that fail to provide adequate time to disclose or process past trauma.[BBC News]
  • The report recommends mandatory trauma-informed care training for mental health staff, national guidelines for handling disclosures of historic abuse, and structural overhauls to deliver long-term support.[BBC News]
  • Estimates indicate almost one in 10 adults in England and Wales experienced abuse in childhood, with approximately two-thirds not disclosing it to services by adulthood.[BBC News]
  • An NHS England representative stated that 24/7 support is accessible through sexual assault referral centers and counselling, and that extra training is being delivered to mental health support teams in schools and colleges.[BBC News]

What remains uncertain

  • Whether and when health authorities will adopt the college's recommendations for mandatory staff training and service overhauls remains unconfirmed.[BBC News]

Sources