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Current Sexual Health Reports
Published in: Current Sexual Health Reports 1/2015

Open Access 01-03-2015 | Integrating the Psychosocial (B McCarthy, RT Segraves and AH Clayton, Section Editors)

Sexual Issues in Treating Trauma Survivors

Author: Aline P. Zoldbrod

Published in: Current Sexual Health Reports | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

The effect of interpersonal trauma on sexuality can be profound. The field of sexual trauma is complex empirically and clinically, with contradictory theories and conflicting data. Research definitions and treatment protocols for child sexual abuse are very imprecise. There are no firm, empirically proven guidelines for treating men and women who have been sexually abused as children or adolescents. Overt sexual abuse (OSA) in children and adolescents is defined here as molestation, rape, or incest. Research has shown that OSA may, but does not necessarily, lead to sexual dysfunction in adulthood. The effects of OSA are worsened by concurrent types of family of origin abuse, such as emotional abuse or physical abuse. One factor that seems related to the varying impact of OSA on adult sexuality is the patients’ family of origin experience with nonsexual Milestones of Sexual Development. Without positive experiences with touch, trust and empathy, the ability to relax and be soothed, and power, the effects of OSA are potentiated and complicated. Sexuality is embodied, so experiences with touch are particularly important when working with OSA. A three-color Body Map technique which assesses stored associations to touch is provided. The concept of developmental sexual trauma (DST) is introduced as a way to label traumagenic family events which potentiate OSA or negatively effect sex but which are not explicitly sexual in origin. Strategies to assess and treat OSA are reviewed. Body Maps are recommended to assess and treat sexual trauma.
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Metadata
Title
Sexual Issues in Treating Trauma Survivors
Author
Aline P. Zoldbrod
Publication date
01-03-2015
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Sexual Health Reports / Issue 1/2015
Print ISSN: 1548-3584
Electronic ISSN: 1548-3592
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11930-014-0034-6

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