Christine McGuinness, a model and television personality, discusses her adult autism diagnosis and sexual assault.
Christine McGuinness was diagnosed with autism at the age of 33 in 2021.
It elucidated a great deal for her. As an adolescent in Liverpool, she struggled to concentrate in school and was often in trouble for throwing chairs. She departed at age 14 without any credentials. “I was a very confused, disoriented adolescent who didn’t know where I fit in,” she explains.
Since infancy, she has only consumed beige foods due to sensory issues. This led to a diet disorder in her teenage years, which caused her periods to cease.
In addition, her hypersensitivity to sound and smell makes it challenging for her to be in busy or noisy environments.
Christine, the ex-partner of TV host Paddy McGuinness, says she always wants to wear earplugs when she is provoked by certain sounds in a room, such as the ticking of a clock.
But one of Christine’s most challenging experiences occurred when she was younger. She was subjected to sexual assault between the ages of nine and eleven. At age 14, she was then assaulted.
The experience was so traumatic that she prayed every night not to wake up the following day. “Because it was so terrible,” she continues, “it was just terrible.”
Dr. Sarah Lister Brook, clinical director of the National Autistic Society, reports that a significant number of autistic women and girls have reported a sexual assault. This can include coercive, physical, and sexual abuse. Dr. Brook adds, “This is a serious and deeply concerning matter.”
A 225-person online survey conducted in 2022 suggests that nearly nine out of ten autistic women have been victims of “sexual violence.” Two-thirds of the victims were very young when they were first assaulted, according to the researchers.
“It’s draining”
According to the NHS, autism is neither a disease nor an illness. Instead, the brain of an autistic person functions differently than that of other individuals.
And it’s a spectrum, so each autistic individual is unique. Common characteristics may include difficulty communicating and interacting with others, anxiety in unfamiliar situations, and repeating the same behavior.
Women and girls may not receive an autism diagnosis due to the historical belief that autism predominantly affects men and boys, or because they are adept at “masking” or concealing their autistic traits.
For Christine, “masking” can involve rehearsing conversations before she has them or imitating others in a room to blend in. She states that it is tiring.
Rosie Creer, clinical director of Respond, an abuse support charity for autistic people and people with cognitive disabilities, explains that autistic women may be more susceptible to sexual abuse because they are frequently excluded from friendship groups during their formative years. This can increase their vulnerability to exploitative relationships.
Christine, like many women in the United Kingdom, has been coping with undiagnosed autism for decades, and she is now searching for answers.
Christine claims she has always found it challenging to initiate and maintain friendships. She says, “There have been times in my life when I desperately desired a friend.”
Rosie Creer adds that other risk factors for autistic women and girls include communication problems between autistic and non-autistic people, the need to please others, and a lack of accessible education about sex and consent.
This is somewhat typical.
Sarah Douglas, like Christine, was diagnosed with autism as an adult. She also claims she was raped as an adolescent.
This resulted in decades of panic attacks, food disorders, and self-mutilation. She states, “I was a mess.”
Sarah, a Bristol-based postgraduate student and co-author of a book about the experiences of autistic people, asserts that autistic women often “develop people-pleasing and masking behaviors” so as not to be noticed as different.
She says, “I was conditioned to be passive.”
Sarah claims she did not receive any sex education as a child, and that her heritage did not prepare her to recognize “red flags” in potential abusers.
“My story is not unique, and that is the truly horrifying part,” she says. For many autistic individuals, this is somewhat typical.
Sarah clarifies that a person’s autism is not the cause of their assault or rape.
“It is always the perpetrator’s choice,” she explains. It is not the autistic individual’s responsibility.
Christine adds that the discussion about sexual assault among autistic women and girls, despite being “terrifying”, is “extremely important.”
“It is a good thing that parents and caregivers are more aware. I don’t want to frighten or upset anyone; I just want people to be aware that this is unfortunately quite prevalent.”
Dr. James Cusack, chief executive officer of the autism research and advocacy organization Autistica, concurs that autistic women and girls can “feel more empowered to advocate for themselves” if they are made aware of this issue.
“Total me now”
After leaving school, Christine’s mother encouraged her to compete in beauty pageants, and in 2007 she was crowned Miss Liverpool. She met her future spouse, Paddy McGuinness when she was 19 years old, and they remained together until their separation last year.
In the documentary, she states that after receiving an autism diagnosis, she felt more able to leave the relationship, adding, “I stayed in a place where I was probably unhappy because it was safe and I don’t like change.”
Since being diagnosed with autism, Christine has had several positive experiences.
“It has helped me comprehend myself a great deal better. I am attempting to be less critical of myself.”
Christine claims that her autism diagnosis has improved her ability to communicate with her three autistic children. For instance, she can comprehend why her children are occasionally unsociable, and she works with school personnel to better accommodate their requirements.
She describes her children as “happy, adorable little ones” because they are now a loving school and communicating well.
Sarah asserts that her autism diagnosis has also facilitated positive life changes.
“I am still myself, but now I am much more complete. And it’s a wonderful place to be.”
A little more assistance
According to NHS data, more than 125,000 individuals, including women and girls, are currently awaiting an autism diagnosis.
Dr. Brook explains that such lengthy waits can be “traumatic” and will force many to struggle without assistance or ultimately reach “crisis point” In addition, she argues that autistic women and girls who report sexual assault should receive more individualized support via training for the police, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), and counseling services.
The government is “committed to reducing delays and improving access to support” and recognizes “sexual offenses can have devastating effects on victims,” including those with disabilities, according to a government spokesperson. In addition, they are investing in expedited patient care and victim support.
A spokesperson for CPS has stated that prosecutors receive “specific training on supporting neurodiverse individuals” and are “focused on ensuring victims receive the consistent and compassionate service they deserve.”
Christine is content with her life as a mother, autism advocate, and television personality, but she sometimes questions if her life would have taken a different path if she had been diagnosed sooner.
“I wish little Christine had received a bit more assistance,” she says.
