Christine McGuinness Opens Up About Being Sexually Abused & Raped As A Child

The reality star, 34, was sexually abused from the age of nine to 11 and raped when she was a teenager. 

And Christine reveals the trauma left her feeling suicidal and she would pray every night to not wake up in the morning, in the program set to air on Wednesday. 
'Just because it was so awful, it was just awful', she says. 

In her latest documentary, Christine sheds light on how being diagnosed with autism at 33 made her more susceptible to sexual abuse. She emphasizes how the disorder can render individuals more vulnerable to such trauma.

According to a 2022 online survey of 225 participants, nearly 90% of autistic women have reported experiencing "sexual violence," as reported by the BBC. Dr. Sarah Lister Book, the clinical director at the National Autistic Society, has noted that a significant number of autistic women and girls have reported instances of sexual assault, including coercive, physical, and sexual abuse.

'This is a serious and deeply concerning issue', Dr. Brook adds.

Christine is advocating for better education and awareness for autistic girls, particularly in terms of understanding the concept of consent. As she tells OK!, autistic girls may feel pressure to conform and please others, which could make them more susceptible to peer pressure and coercion. 

She expresses fear for her own children, including her twins Penelope and Leo, aged nine, and Felicity, aged seven, all of whom have autism and whom she shares with her estranged husband Paddy. Christine believes that increased knowledge and awareness can help prevent instances of sexual abuse, which she believes should not happen to anyone.

According to Rosie Creer, the clinical director of Respond, a charity that provides support for individuals with learning disabilities and autism who have experienced abuse, one of the reasons why autistic women may be more vulnerable to sexual abuse is due to exclusion from friendship groups during their developmental years.

Difficulties with communication, the desire to please others, and inadequate education about consent are additional factors that may make autistic women and girls more susceptible to sexual abuse. Christine has experienced periods in her life where she longed for companionship and understanding. 

Despite the frightening nature of the issue, she believes that raising awareness about the vulnerability of autistic women and girls to sexual abuse is crucial.

'For parents and carers to be more aware is a positive thing. I don't want it to scare or upset anybody, I just want people to be more aware that this is quite common, unfortunately,' she says. 
 

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