A recent survey commissioned by SCARS Bermuda and conducted by KPMG has found that 29% of respondents disclosed experiencing sexual abuse before their 18th birthday, equivalent to close to one in three adults surveyed.
1,010 community members participated in the study, a sample considered large enough to be statistically significant and representative of Bermuda’s population size.
Key findings
The findings highlight the lasting impact that child sexual abuse can have well into adulthood. Among respondents with lived experience, 79% reported mental health challenges, while over half also reported difficulties with relationships, trust, self-esteem, shame, and self-worth. More than one-third reported experiencing depression, and nearly one in five reported suicidal thoughts or behaviours.
The study was undertaken to provide an updated understanding of child sexual abuse in Bermuda and to help inform the continued development of SCARS’ prevention and awareness initiatives, including the upgraded Darkness to Light® Beyond Stewards of Children® curriculum, scheduled to launch this autumn.
The study was designed using trauma-informed principles and informed by the experiences and perspectives of more than 1,000 community members. It provides updated local evidence on the prevalence and impact of child sexual abuse in Bermuda and aligns with prevalence rates found in previous research conducted in partnership with the Bermuda Health Council in 2017.
“These findings remind us that child sexual abuse is both prevalent and profoundly life-altering,” said Debi Ray-Rivers, Executive Director and Founder of SCARS Bermuda.
“For many survivors, the effects of child sexual abuse do not end when childhood does. Every child deserves to grow up safe, and every survivor deserves to be heard and supported. These findings reinforce the importance of continuing to educate our community, strengthen prevention efforts, and ensure that children and families have access to the support they need. Our commitment to prevention and awareness remains unwavering because children deserve nothing less.”
The full report is available at www.scarsbermuda.com.
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