“Sexual trauma can profoundly disrupt a survivor’s capacity to engage in education,” integrative psychotherapist Charlotte Fox Weber. “The weight of PTSD, anxiety, or depression can hinder focus, memory, and motivation, making it difficult to thrive in an academic setting. Without trauma-informed resources or support, the barriers can feel insurmountable and isolating, not just for survivors of sexual trauma but for teachers and peers.”
Verma’s trauma later impacted her career prospects. Partially due to experiencing further abuse at the hands of successive romantic partners – something many survivors of CSA experience as the cycle of abuse continues into adulthood – Verma jumped from job to job, repeatedly getting sacked due to impulsivity and a lack of self-worth. She tells GLAMOUR: “I was reckless; people just thought I had lost it, and that was a perception people had of me: ‘Oh, she’s fucking crazy, stay away from her.’” It took becoming self-employed for Verma to regain control over her economic future. Renwick also struggled to work in a traditional environment and is now self-employed to retain control over her life.
Domestic abuse also has far-reaching effects in the workplace, especially when the abuser asserts control over their partners. Author and speaker Malin Andersson, who is partnering with Vodafone and Hestia to raise awareness of resources to support people experiencing abuse with the free app BrightSky, tells GLAMOUR: “He tried to ruin my life and tried to make me not want to be able to work. I had perseverance and carried on doing what I was meant to do, but I cancelled a lot of work. I didn’t show up for a lot of things.”
The impact of sexual violence emanates outward from the perpetrator’s actions like a slow-moving nuclear bomb, creeping its way not just into every aspect of the survivor’s life but everyone around them, too. “Survivors may struggle with hypervigilance, low confidence, or difficulty forming trust, which can affect communication, collaboration, and team morale,” Weber tells GLAMOUR. “For everyone involved, the ripple effects highlight the importance of creating compassionate, supportive workplaces where recovery and understanding coexist with professional growth.”
“Moreover, trauma can influence spending habits. Some survivors turn to impulsive spending as a coping mechanism, while others may avoid financial decision-making altogether, perpetuating instability.”
Healing from sexual violence is an ongoing process for many of us, meaning that the NHS’ six sessions of cognitive behavioural therapy are rarely sufficient to manage the lifelong effects of such trauma. A lack of available or appropriate support is why many of us fund our recovery independently from the public healthcare system. “I spent about £20,000 on rehab because I found myself binge drinking on the weekends when my daughter would go to her dad. My nervous system had reached a point where I couldn’t take life anymore,” Andersson says.
Verma has invested £30,000 to £50,000 on various therapies, coaches, and courses. Renwick tells GLAMOUR, “I tried to go through the NHS and was underwhelmed, but over the past five years, I’ve probably spent upwards of £20,000 on healing modalities.” Sadly, this isn’t an option for most survivors unless they are willing to put themselves into debt.
“Survivors in marginalised groups often face restricted access to affordable mental health care, legal support, or workplace protections, delaying recovery,” Weber says. “Economic inequality can trap survivors in unsafe environments or make therapy unaffordable.”