Abuse

The last installment in a series on the physical effects of sexual trauma. To conclude the series, we’re talking about talking: namely, how to talk with sexual partners about any physical effects that you have experienced as a survivor of sexual trauma.

Here are some things — from someone with nearly 30 years of experience providing sex, relationships, and health education along with lived experience as an assault survivor — to know about child-on-child sexual abuse.

The gym should be a happy and safe space, not one where anyone has to worry about experiencing harassment.

In survival mode, the idea of true safety can sometimes feel unobtainable. Safety can feel like a privilege that you can’t access at all, or can only have in parts.

Want to try and seek some closure through a discussion with an abuser or assailant? Here’s how to do it as safely as possible.

My parents’ relationship made me deeply insecure. Insecure about the way I looked, insecure about my future prospects, and mostly insecure in my romantic relationships.

My body language announces my distrust of people. This obviously makes it tremendously hard to start new relationships.

There was a text from him: “Sorry about last night.” There were calls. Then more texts: “Babe are you ok?” When I responded: “You raped me,” he stopped reaching out.

For those of us who struggle with social cues due to a history of trauma, autism, lack of socialization, or other factors, learning to identify potential signs of sexual coercion or impending sexual violence can be empowering.

In this third installment of this series, we hear from a survivor who developed substantial physical concerns after her trauma experiences. Kayla* is a survivor of multiple episodes of sexual trauma, and she has undergone extensive care for her post-traumatic symptoms.