Kinergy sex abuse charity has long victims waiting list
A South Gloucestershire-based charity says it has a nine-month waiting list, for people needing help having been victims of sexual abuse.
Kinergy says its work is also being made increasingly difficult because of funding cuts to similar agencies.
Counsellor Tracey Richardson said the recent publicity over Jimmy Savile showed how things could be kept secret.
She said people wanted to tell their stories but after the first session were put on to the waiting list.
"There are other services in Bristol offering similar support but they also have waiting lists.
"I know that both them and us have to close our service altogether to people at times because our waiting lists just get so huge," Ms Richardson added.
Brigitte, who was abused when she was younger and now helps other victims, said it was only when people start talking about it that they were in real danger.
"Once you've opened the can of worms and you have to face the dawn it's not easy and I believe a lot of people have committed suicide because of this.
"It's hard to live with this type of abuse and it's a shame there's such a long [waiting] list when people are desperate to start unpacking the terrible situation in their lives," she added.
Kinergy, which is a registered charity, is a counselling service for survivors of sexual abuse and/or rape.
It offers support from its headquarters in Kingswood but also offers appointments from locations in Knowle, Yate and Bradley Stoke.