More focus is needed on childhood sexual abuse to combat Australia’s suicide problem

One person dies from suicide every 40 seconds according to the World Health Organisation.

In Australia, men are three times more likely to die by suicide than women.

The Australian government states about 64% of people who die by suicide had a recorded mental or behavioural disorder.

Much is being done to improve Australians’ mental health and reduce suicides. However, there has been little focus on the impact of often unspoken experiences of childhood.

Our new research explores the intersections of men, suicide and child sexual abuse.

The danger of adverse childhood experiences

Suicide Prevention Australia’s latest report highlights the substantial impact of childhood trauma.

It has found more than 60% of Australian adults have experienced one or more adverse childhood experiences. These include things like bullying and bereavement but also maltreatment such as neglect, emotional, physical and sexual abuse.

Australians who have experienced multiple adverse childhood experiences are significantly more likely to have attempted suicide or self-harmed in the past year.

When it comes to more extreme maltreatment, around one in three women and one in five men have experienced child sexual abuse, according to the Australian Child Maltreatment Study.

The burden of child maltreatment

Childhood abuse and neglect are the leading risk factor in the burden of disease in Australia.

They contribute substantially to the years of healthy life lost due to suicide and self-inflicted injuries in both men and women according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

A 2024 study analysing the burden of mental disorders and suicide attributable to child maltreatment in Australia concluded:

child maltreatment accounts for more than 184,000 years of healthy life lost through mental ill health and 1.8 million cases of mental health problems could be prevented if exposure to child maltreatment was eradicated.

A roundtable in Canberra was recently convened with attendees from multiple sectors. It discussed the lack of attention to suicidality and its link to child sexual abuse within relevant national plans and policy frameworks.

What our research found

We analysed 47 recent studies in international peer reviewed journals on child sexual abuse and suicidality in adulthood.

Many studies highlight the lifelong impacts of adverse childhood experiences on adult survivors’ mental health and suicide risk.

In a quarter of the studies identified we found a clear and direct link between child sexual abuse and suicidality.

Several studies reported child sexual abuse was, over and above other forms of maltreatment, linked to suicidality. This included being strongly linked to suicidal ideation, self harm, suicide attempts and death by suicide.

Often there were intersections with other adverse childhood experiences that had a cumulative impact on suicide risk in adulthood.

Research also points to specific cohorts of child sexual abuse survivors who have higher risk of suicidality, such as:

This evidence suggests survivors’ risk of suicide increases significantly if they are then exposed to additional trauma in adult life.

Men and child sexual abuse

There are several factors that potentially differentiate men’s experience of child sexual abuse from women.

Male survivors:

Other research shows male survivors can struggle with shame and stigma, with some adopting a hypermasculine persona in which they display risk-taking and aggression.

This research aligns with the experience of those who access support through Survivors and Mates Support Network, one of Australia’s leading organisations for male survivors of child sexual abuse.

The organisation runs groups to assist men by breaking down social isolation, providing support and connection. It states 75% of the men involved in its programs reported a reduction in their thoughts/feelings of suicide.

Despite the compelling statistics linking adverse childhood experiences and particularly child sexual abuse to suicide, investment in specialist services for male survivors to address this national tragedy is sadly lacking.

Current responses focusing just on mental health fail to address the complex set of intersections involved.

Education and awareness-raising, and health promotion campaigns should be a priority.

Policy and practice need to address impacts of child sexual abuse that intersect with suicidality, along with mental health, social disadvantage, substance abuse, violence and other risk-taking behaviour.

Urgent action is needed to save lives.

The National Sexual Assault, Family and Domestic Violence Counselling Line – 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) – is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for any Australian who has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault.

If this article has raised issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Craig Hughes-Cashmore, CEO Survivors & Mates Support Network, contributed to this article.