A SUPPORT group for victims of childhood sexual abuse believes people who have suffered in silence might now be reliving the horrors of the past as the Jimmy Savile scandal unfolds.

East Kilbride-based Talk Now, a charity set up in March by Patricia Mair, is calling on anyone who is dealing with abuse in their past to reach out for help rather than bottle up their emotions.

Patricia says the high profile stories detailing alleged abuse of underage girls by the former star of BBC shows Jim'll Fix It and Top of the Pops will be bringing memories flooding back to people who might have thought they could put it all behind them.

Patricia said: "The Savile stories will be very difficult for some people to read.

"A lot of victims of childhood sexual abuse manage to put the abuse out of their minds for a while, living a fairly normal life and going out socialising.

"But things happen that will spark it again in their minds. Living with a memory of sexual abuse is like having a video recorder in your head - it's always there, ready to be played again and again.

"Having it all come back could lead people to revert to their old coping mechanisms, which more often than not is substance abuse or reckless behaviour.

"I started Talk Now because I noticed a lack of a support group like this in East Kilbride and I think it's vital to offer these services."

Patricia is a counsellor and a specialist in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy which helps people deal with the effects of sexual abuse.

She has around nine people attending Talk Now for confidential support and is looking for extra funding to expand the service.

The group is based at Strathmore House in the South Lanarkshire town.

Patricia added: "If anyone wants to talk or to even find out more about what we can offer, they should call in the first instance and we can take it from there."

You can call Talk Now on 01355 458272 or 07743 156544. Or find out more online at www.talknow.org.uk

stef.lach@heraldandtimes.co.uk

PATRICIA MAIR