Why many victims of sexual abuse do not seek help

This article was previously published on the website of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

Many victims of sexual harassment and abuse do not seek help. Shame, fear of receiving negative reactions, and simply not knowing where or who to turn to, create significant barriers. This is the conclusion of a study conducted by victimologist and psychologist Valérie Pijlman at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

Her research provides concrete guidance on making support more accessible and breaking down stigmas.

Why don’t victims seek help?

Whether it involves physical violence, such as rape, or online image-based abuse, such as the non-consensual distribution of intimate images, many victims are left to deal with their experiences alone. 'They feel ashamed, guilty, or afraid they won’t be taken seriously,' Pijlman explains. 'Sometimes they downplay what happened to them or simply don’t know where to go for help.'

For victims of online image-based sexual harassment and abuse, the barriers are even higher. Pijlman’s research shows that they appear less likely to seek help than victims of physical sexual violence. 'Victims of image-based sexual harassment and abuse are often younger. They may think it’s ‘not serious enough’ or fear negative reactions from, for example, their parents,' she says. This points to a broader societal issue: the tendency to take image-based sexual harassment and abuse less seriously.

This can have significant consequences for victims’ well-being. But what actually helps to lower the barriers to seeking help?

The power of social support and education

Pijlman’s research shows that victims are more likely to seek help when they receive social support or want to regain control over their situation. Education also plays a crucial role. 'By improving sex education and increasing awareness of available support options, we may be able to guide victims to the right resources more quickly,' she says.

A striking aspect of her research focuses on social media. Pijlman tested which messages were most effective in motivating victims to visit a victim support organization’s website using Snapchat ads. 'Young people often feel safer with anonymous online support services. By reaching them where they already are, such as on social media, we may lower the barrier to seeking help. Ads that explicitly stated that the victim was not to blame for what happened received a lot of interaction,' Pijlman explains. 'This highlights the importance of reassuring victims and breaking the societal stigma surrounding sexual violence, which often fuels victim blaming.'

From research to action

Pijlman’s findings align with ongoing societal discussions, such as the introduction of the new Sexual Offenses Act in the Netherlands. Her research underscores the importance of accessible support services and stigma-breaking campaigns. 'We need to ensure that victims feel supported and know where to turn. This can be achieved through comprehensive sex education in schools, targeted online campaigns, and anonymous support services, making it safer for victims to seek help. Only through lowering these barriers we can ensure that victims feel heard and supported - both online and offline.;

Through her research, Pijlman contributes to a better understanding of help-seeking behavior and offers concrete recommendations for professionals to better support victims of sexual misconduct and violence.

More information

Valérie Pijlman: Caught in the Web: A Study of Help-Seeking for Sexual Victimization

Pijlman will defend her doctoral dissertation on 16 April 2025 at 9:45-11:15 in the Auditorium of the Main building, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. See also the agenda item on the website of the VU Amsterdam.

Supervisors are Prof. Dr Veroni Eichelsheim en Prof. Dr Antony Pemberton. Co-supervisor is Dr Mijke de Waardt.

Factsheets

In November 2024, Pijlman, in collaboration with Eichelsheim, Pemberton and de Waardt, published three factsheets about her doctoral research on the NSCR website. They are about 1) the literature review, 2) research on victims' help-seeking behavior and 3) research on encouraging help-seeking.

Go to the factsheets.