Table of Contents
Andy Gearing, the proprietor of Wanna Haircut in Sedgley, engaged in sexual assault and rape against the same girl for four years. Andy Gearing was ultimately apprehended by authorities and he was found guilty in a trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court in June.
Andrew (Andy) Gearing paedophile rapist
The 62-year-old individual, Andy Gearing, was convicted in September 2024 and received a 14-year sentence at Wolverhampton Crown Court. The charges against Andy Gearing included engaging in sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 13, indecently exposing themselves, entering the youngster, and committing assault.
Andy Gearing was accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting the girl on a bed located at the rear of his barber business on Sedgley Road, after providing her with cigarettes and alcohol.
Rape and sexual assault have profoundly damaging and far-reaching effects on underage girls, affecting their emotional, psychological, physical, and social well-being. These impacts can persist into adulthood and shape multiple aspects of the survivor’s life. The effects vary depending on factors such as the severity and duration of the abuse, the relationship with the perpetrator, and the support systems available after the assault. Below is an exploration of the wide-ranging effects of rape and sexual assault on underage girls.
Psychological Effects
Sexual violence has severe psychological impacts that can persist long after the assault. These include:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Underage girls who experience rape or sexual assault are at a high risk of developing PTSD. Symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, and emotional numbness. Survivors often experience intense distress when exposed to reminders of the trauma, which can disrupt daily life.
Anxiety and Depression: Many survivors suffer from chronic anxiety, panic attacks, and depressive episodes. These symptoms can include feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, and worthlessness, with some girls internalising the trauma and blaming themselves for the assault.
Self-Harm and Suicidal Ideation: Sexual assault often leads to self-harm behaviours such as cutting, burning, or other forms of self-injury. The overwhelming emotional pain can also lead to suicidal thoughts and attempts, especially if the survivor feels unsupported or stigmatised.
Dissociation: Some survivors experience dissociative symptoms as a way to cope with the trauma. This can include feeling disconnected from their bodies, memory lapses, and emotional numbing as a way to protect themselves from intense psychological distress.
Emotional Effects
The emotional toll of sexual violence on underage girls is profound and can disrupt their ability to process emotions healthily.
Shame, Guilt, and Self-Blame: Survivors often feel shame or guilt, even though they are not at fault for the assault. In many cases, young girls are led to believe that their behaviour or appearance somehow contributed to the abuse, perpetuating feelings of self-blame.
Fear and Hypervigilance: After the trauma, many survivors live in constant fear, often fearing their perpetrator or any situation that might resemble the assault. This hypervigilance can lead to difficulty sleeping, nightmares, and an inability to feel safe.
Anger and Irritability: Some survivors experience anger at their perpetrator, the adults or institutions that failed to protect them, or even themselves. This anger can manifest as irritability or outbursts.
Physical Effects
The physical impacts of rape and sexual assault on underage girls can range from immediate injuries to long-term health problems.
Physical Injuries: Depending on the nature of the assault, survivors may sustain physical injuries such as bruises, lacerations, or damage to reproductive organs. In severe cases, the trauma can lead to long-term physical disabilities.
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Underage girls are at risk of contracting STIs following sexual assault, which can have lasting effects on their reproductive and general health.
Pregnancy: In cases where the assault leads to pregnancy, underage girls face the added emotional and physical burden of coping with a pregnancy. This can lead to significant psychological distress, especially in societies or communities where stigmatisation of rape victims is prevalent.
Chronic Health Issues: Over time, the stress from trauma can lead to chronic health problems, such as gastrointestinal issues, headaches, and chronic pain. Survivors are also more likely to develop conditions like fibromyalgia and autoimmune diseases, possibly due to the body’s long-term response to stress.
Cognitive Effects
The trauma of rape and sexual assault can disrupt normal cognitive development in underage girls.
Difficulties with Concentration and Memory: Survivors often report problems with concentration, focus, and memory. These difficulties can affect academic performance and make it challenging for them to engage in everyday activities or learn new things.
Cognitive Distortions: Sexual trauma can lead to distorted thinking patterns, such as overgeneralisation (e.g., “All people are dangerous”) or catastrophising (e.g., “Something terrible is going to happen again”). These patterns can affect relationships, decision-making, and how survivors interact with the world.
Behavioural Effects
The behavioural responses of underage girls to sexual trauma often reflect their struggle to cope with overwhelming emotions.
Avoidance and Withdrawal: Many survivors may become withdrawn, avoiding situations, people, or places that remind them of the assault. They may avoid school, social activities, or interactions with peers, leading to isolation and further emotional distress.
Risky or Aggressive Behaviour: Some survivors engage in risky behaviours (such as substance abuse, sexual promiscuity, or criminal activity) as a way to cope with their trauma. These behaviours may reflect an attempt to regain control or numb emotional pain. In other cases, survivors may become aggressive or oppositional in response to their trauma.
Sexualized Behavior: In some cases, survivors may display sexualised behaviour beyond what is developmentally appropriate for their age. This can stem from confusion about boundaries, self-worth, or attempts to regain control over their bodies.
Self-Isolation: Many survivors of sexual assault will withdraw from friends, family, and social situations. This isolation can worsen loneliness, fear, and worthlessness, preventing them from seeking help or support.
Interpersonal Effects
The trauma from sexual assault profoundly impacts how survivors relate to others, affecting trust and emotional intimacy.
Trust Issues: Underage survivors often develop significant trust issues. Given that perpetrators of sexual violence are usually known to the victim, such as family members or acquaintances, survivors may find it difficult to trust anyone, even close friends or family members.
Difficulty with Intimacy: As survivors grow older, they may experience difficulty with emotional or physical intimacy, fearing closeness or viewing it as dangerous. This can affect friendships and romantic relationships.
Attachment Issues: Trauma experienced in childhood can interfere with the formation of healthy attachments. Survivors may develop insecure attachment styles, either clinging to people out of fear of abandonment or pushing others away to avoid being hurt.
Social and Educational Impact
The effects of rape and sexual assault on underage girls often extend into their educational and social lives.
Decline in Academic Performance: Trauma can lead to academic struggles. Survivors may have difficulty focusing, attending school, or engaging in everyday classroom activities. Many survivors show a decline in grades or may even drop out of school altogether.
Stigma and Bullying: In some cases, survivors may face stigma, shaming, or even bullying from peers if the assault becomes public knowledge. This further compounds the emotional toll of the assault.
Difficulty Forming Friendships: Survivors may find it challenging to relate to peers, especially if they are dealing with secrecy or shame about the assault. This isolation can hinder the development of meaningful friendships and social networks.
Long-Term Consequences
The long-term effects of rape and sexual assault can persist well into adulthood, affecting all areas of life.
Increased Risk of Revictimisation: Survivors of childhood sexual assault are at higher risk for revictimisation later in life, including further sexual or physical abuse. This may be due to the breakdown of healthy boundaries or a sense of powerlessness instilled by the initial assault.
Substance Abuse: Many survivors turn to alcohol or drugs as a way to self-medicate or escape emotional pain. This can lead to addiction or further complications in relationships, education, and employment.
Interpersonal Relationship Struggles: Survivors often struggle with relationships, including friendships, romantic partnerships, or family connections. They may find it difficult to maintain emotional closeness or trust others.
Protective Factors and Support
Therapy and Counselling: Psychotherapy, including trauma-focused cognitive-behavioural therapy (TF-CBT), can be highly effective in helping survivors process and heal from trauma. Early intervention and supportive counselling play a crucial role in recovery.
Supportive Relationships: Having supportive family members, friends, and professionals can mitigate the adverse effects of trauma. Emotional and practical support can help the survivor regain control and safety.
Community and Social Support: Involvement in support groups, youth programs, and community-based services can provide underage survivors with a sense of belonging, safety, and healing.
Conclusion
The effects of rape and sexual assault on underage girls are profound, touching nearly every aspect of their lives. These experiences can lead to long-term psychological, emotional, and physical challenges that persist into adulthood if not adequately addressed. Early intervention, emotional support, and trauma-informed care are critical in helping survivors cope and heal from these devastating experiences.
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.