Dele Alli: Where to get help if you’ve been sexually abused – and how to spot signs in others

Watch: Dele Alli ‘bravery’ praised as midfielder speaks out about abuse and addiction

Dele Alli has been praised for raising awareness about sexual abuse and seeking help with mental health struggles after sharing his own experiences.

The footballer, 27, has revealed he was sexually abused at the age of six and was dealing drugs two years later, while a recent battle with a sleeping pill addiction led to a six-week stay at a rehab clinic.

Speaking to Gary Neville on The Overlap podcast Alli explained: "At six I was molested by my mum's friend who was at the house a lot. My mum was an alcoholic."

Since sharing the emotional details, Alli has been supported and applauded by others, including the Prince and Princess of Wales, for helping to shine a light on important topics including sexual assault and mental wellbeing.

Meanwhile England captain Harry Kane also praised the star for helping to raise awareness. “Proud of @dele_official for speaking out and sharing his experience to try and help others,” he wrote.

Encouraging others who may be coping with their own mental health issues, Alli said the work he had undertaken in recent months had left him in a better place, concluding: “I think this is probably the first time in a long time that I can say yes [I am OK] and mean it.

"Mentally I am probably in the best place I have ever been and I feel good. I am injured at the minute but I have got that passion back for football. I’m doing really well.”

Alli said he wanted "to help other people to let them know that they're not alone in the feelings that they've got".

"You can talk to people. It doesn't make you weak to get help, to be vulnerable – there's a lot of strength in that. To come out and share my story, I'm happy to do it," he said.

Read more on Dele Alli's interview

• Dele Alli: Everton footballer reveals he was sexually abused age six - Sky News, 4-min read

• 'Powerful and brave': Dele Alli praised for candid interview - The Independent, 3-min read

• Dele Alli's bombshell interview: drug-dealing, sexual abuse and rehab - The Telegraph, 12-min read

What is sexual violence and abuse?

The government's advice page says sexual violence and abuse can include, but is not limited to:

• Rape

• Sexual assault

• Sexual abuse (which includes being pressurised or coerced into sexual activity you do not want to do)

• Sexual exploitation

• Image-based sexual abuse (non-consensual creation and/or distribution of private, sexual images and videos)

• Grooming for sexual purposes

• Female genital mutilation

• Sexual harassment, both online and offline

Meanwhile the NHS says child sexual abuse covers a range of illegal sexual activities, including:

• Possessing images of child sexual abuse

• Forcing a child to strip or masturbate

• Engaging in any kind of sexual activity in front of a child, including watching pornography

• Taking, downloading, viewing or distributing sexual images of children

• Encouraging a child to perform sexual acts in front of a webcam

• Not taking measures to protect a child from witnessing sexual activity or images

• Inappropriate sexual touching of a child, whether clothed or unclothed

• Penetrative sex

How to spot if a child is being sexually abused

According to stats one in 20 children in the UK will experience child sexual abuse.

While it isn't always easy to spot if a child is being abused, there are some signs to be aware of including:

• Changes in behaviour – a child may start being aggressive, withdrawn, clingy, have difficulties sleeping, have regular nightmares or start wetting the bed

• Avoiding the abuser – the child may dislike or seem afraid of a particular person and try to avoid spending time alone with them

• Sexually inappropriate behaviour – children who have been abused may behave in sexually inappropriate ways or use sexually explicit language

• Physical problems – the child may develop health problems, including soreness in the genital and anal areas

• Problems at school – an abused child may have difficulty concentrating and learning

• Giving clues – children may also drop hints and clues that the abuse is happening without revealing it outright

Where to get help for sexual abuse

For anyone who has experienced sexual abuse, or is struggling with mental health issues because of having previously survived sexual violence, it is important to remember that there is help and support available.

Sexual assault referral centres (SARCs) offer medical, practical and emotional support to anyone who has been abused.

You can get help from a SARC by booking an appointment with your nearest one.

Other places to go for help include:

• Rape Crisis, Women's Aid, Victim Support, The Survivors Trust or Male Survivors Partnership

• The 24-hour freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge, on 0808 2000 247

• The rape and sexual abuse support line run by Rape Crisis England and Wales – you can call the helpline on 0808 500 2222 or use the online chat (both are free and are open 24 hours a day, every day of the year)

• Further information can also be found at https://sexualabusesupport.campaign.gov.uk

• The NSPCC has more information and advice about child sexual abuse.

• If you're a child and someone is sexually abusing you, you can get help and advice from ChildLine – call 0800 1111, calls are free and confidential.