THE effects of child abuse can have a significant, long-lasting impact on adult life.

Many adult survivors struggle to cope with various aspects of life including issues such as low self-esteem, anger, guilt and self-blame.

National charity NAPAC (National Association for People Abused in Childhood) is setting up a support group for adult survivors of child abuse in Bradford, chosen as one of six locations around the UK. The 12-week group, for up to 12 people, is funded by the Home Office, to offer peer support groups and specialist training for professionals who work with survivors.

"Many adult survivors of child abuse find it hard to cope with life or struggle with relationships. NAPAC’s support groups give survivors the opportunity to meet others who have experienced abuse in childhood and share their experiences and feelings. Our approach to trauma recovery is based on the latest research," said NAPAC chief executive Gabrielle Shaw.

The groups are aimed at offering support to adult survivors of any type of child abuse, including physical, emotional, sexual abuse or neglect.

Sibylle von Ulmenstein, NAPAC's Training and Survivor Support Facilitator, said the support offered combines education about childhood abuse and its impacts into adulthood with healthy coping mechanisms. "Our Bradford support group will be led by two experienced facilitators and will run for 12 weekly sessions. At least half each session will be about education - about how behaviours now are linked to what happened to people in childhood," she says. "It's a grieving process for many survivors, and it can trigger memories and emotions. They have experienced a complete loss of trust and feel such emotions as shame, grief, guilt and anger. One of the reasons why it can take years to seek help with surviving abuse is that people grow up thinking it's a 'normal' part of life because it was part of their childhood.

"The impact of all abuse is similar - whether it's neglect, physical, emotional or sexual."

Survivors often have problems with their own relationships, with intimacy, trust and repeated patterns of behaviour. "There is no blame; we help people recognise behaviour patterns and things like unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as drugs, alcohol and food, and how they can be changed to healthy ones," says Sibylle.

Peer support is a fundamental part of the group; with members sharing experiences and the impact they have had. "Peer support is vital - it is a much slower process on a one-to-one basis," said Sibylle. "Members from previous groups have stayed in contact, either on social media or by meeting up regularly. We plant the seeds with this 12-week course then people continue to support and benefit from each other.

"We have seen so clearly that it's incredibly helpful for people to have this kind of support, and not to have to battle through the NHS. It's not a one-bullet solution to recovery, but it's a launch pad."

Facilitators work in twos in the groups.They are trained around the latest research into child abuse. Some facilitators are survivors who have been through their own recovery.

Potential participants are assessed in an informal interview to determine if a support group is best for their recovery.

"Not everyone is ready for group work, we look at what will work best for them," says Sibylle. "It's very much about people making their own choices too."

The charity has built up support groups and now it has Home Office funding it is trying to cover as many areas of the country as possible. Bradford has been identified as an area with a diverse population that can also cover other cities like Leeds. One of the facilitators for the Bradford group is from the district.

"This funding is an incredible opportunity for us to to carry out this service," says Sibylle. "We would like the 12-week courses to be ongoing, covering as many areas as we can."

* For more information about the National Association for People Abused in Childhood or the 12-week support group programme go to napac.org.uk/support-groups or email supportgroup@napac.co.uk and include a phone number.

* NAPAC also runs a free support line for adult survivors of child abuse. The number is 0808 801 0331, free from UK landlines or mobiles. 10am-9pm Monday to Thursday and 10am-6pm Friday.