When Sexual Abuse Rears It's Ugly Head

Sexual abuse is a trauma that affects heart level connections long after the fact.
Years after the actual experiences, reactions to the event may start surfacing in
odd ways.

Sexual Abuse and Future Sexuality

More from YourTango: How To Survive Mother's Day If You Feel Post-Abortion Grief

Sexual abuse is the gift that keeps on giving. A person caught in the trap of
keeping their sexual abuse secret out of fear or because they are being
manipulated by their abuser will out of necessity begin to shut down their
emotions. One way to shut down emotions is to go into denial mode. The
Hebrew word for denial is “to lie.” Keeping the secret means we have to lie to
ourselves as well as to others. The person being abused must lie to themselves
that (a) they are even being abused and (b) that what they are experienced from
their abuser is “normal.” The sexually abused must detach themselves from their feelings as a way to survive the unthinkable. This shutdown mode brings them the protection they need to keep the secret.

First Stage-Promiscuity

The sexually abused can begin to act out sexually as a way to release some of
the hurt they feel about their “deep dark secret.” Because they were harmed in
the area of their sexually and have lost power and control in that part of their life,
the reasoning goes this way: “I lost power because of my sexuality so I will
regain power by being sexual.” Thus begins the sexual abuse cycle of sexual
dysfunction. Many sexually abused persons will go through a season of promiscuity. Typically, there will be several random and/or one-time events of acting out sexually. Then a strange thing happens. Finally meeting “the right person” the reasoning
becomes: “Monogamy or being in a solid one-person relationship will relieve the
pain surrounding my sexuality.

Second Stage-Sexual Detachment

More from YourTango: Abortion Aftercare: An Idea Whose Time Has Come

Once in a committed relationship the pendulum swings the other way. Marriage
requires intimacy and connection. These elements have been lacking thus far in
the person’s life. The sexually abused then become overwhelmed at the
prospect of a relationship that requires so much of their heart and so much
vulnerability. Keep in mind vulnerability was not safe for them in past
relationships. The emotions begin shutting down. Feeling trapped and
vulnerable, this person who was once too sexual becomes completely shut down
sexually. Also there might be a sudden increase in anger. Angry responses
serve the purpose of pushing loved ones away desiring connection.. Another
response to a relationship that requires intimacy and trust is to isolate from the
pursuer in the relationship. At this point, the partner in the committed relationship is thrown into a tail-spin. One husband in this situation put it very well: “She was my dream girl until we got married. It’s like I woke up one morning married to a psycho-witch!”

There are answers.