There is growing evidence to suggest that experiences of childhood abuse or neglect rarely occur in isolation. Some children experience multiple forms of maltreatment by the same abuser. An adult who sexually abuses a child may also hit them (physical abuse) and belittle them (emotional abuse). A child can also become a 'poly-victim' because they are abused by different abusers - for example, thety may be sexually abused by an uncle and later a sports team coach, or they might be beaten by their dad and bullied at school by class mates.
Complex trauma describes both children's exposure to multiple traumatic events and the wide-ranging, long-term effects of this exposure. Such events may include abuse, neglect, interpersonal violence, community violence, racism, discrimination and war. These events are severe, pervasive, chronic or repeated and usually occur or begin early in life and can disrupt many aspects of the child's development, and the formation of a sense of self.
When such events involve a caregiver, they interfere with the child's ability to form a secure attachment.
Survivors may have experienced:
- Sexual abuse (including rape)
- Physical abuse and neglect
- Emotional cruelty
- Coercive control and manipulation
- Gaslighting or brainwashing
- Sexual exploitation, involving prostitution or pornography
- Torture
- Forced marriage
- Domestic violence
- Female genital mutilation
Severe and multiple abuse can occur in any of these contexts:
- Intra-familial abuse
- Institutional abuse
- Spiritual abuse
- Ritual abuse
- Child sexual exploitation
- Gang/criminal networks
- Sex/paedophile rings
- Modern slavery
- Trafficking
