Past Sexual Trauma: The Effects on Relationships

Sexual trauma is exposure to any amount of inappropriate sexual behavior that’s caused intense fear and anxiety. It’s also referred to as sexual abuse or sexual violence.  Sexual trauma comes in different forms. There are overt types of sexual trauma such as molestation or rape. But sexual trauma can also be covert such as sexual harassment, and unwanted exposure to sex as a child. Sexual trauma can happen to anyone regardless of age, gender, or socioeconomic background. Additionally, an experience of sexual trauma is subjective. What might have felt okay to one person could be deeply disturbing for another. The effects of sexual trauma can be physical, emotional, or psychological and last for a significant period after the sexual encounter has occurred. Sexual trauma doesn’t necessarily mean you no longer want to have sex. People who’ve experienced sexual trauma may still have regular sex. However, their sexual behavior is undoubtedly changed. The impacts of sexual trauma are not always obvious, especially to other people. Tune in and learn all about working through past trauma in a current relationship!