Mental scars left by sex attacks ‘often neglected’

About two-fifths of the 300,000 victims of violence treated in emergency departments in England and Wales each year go on to have mental health problems, the co-author of new guidelines for doctors said.

But Professor Jonathan Shepherd, director of the violence and society research group at Cardiff University, said mental health issues were going unrecognised and were often neglected altogether.

“Having treated people injured by violence for many years, I’m convinced that the mental health problems that are inflicted are often more serious and long-lasting than their physical injuries,” Prof Shepherd said.

New guidelines issued by the Royal College of Psychiatrists “will help make sure that people who are victims of violence get the help they need”, Prof Shepherd added.