intimacy

This article presents a summary of findings on existing research into the long-term impact of childhood sexual abuse (CSA). Focusing on interpersonal relationships, the article says the survivors experience more dysfunction with intimacy, sexual functioning, and parenting.

Link: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6VB8-433W7DT-…

WebMD has an article and various resources on the effects of sexual abuse. The links below are to articles that talk in general about the effects sexual abuse has on survivors and their partners, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Links: http://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/features/has-your-partner-been-a… http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/news/20050519/child-sex-abuse-affect… http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/news/20061121/stress-disorder-more-c… http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/post-traumatic-stress-disorder

Intimacy can be one of the toughest parts of a relationship with a sexual abuse survivor. This short post from Suite101.com explains the impact fear of intimacy can have on a relationship and three ways to overcome it: honesty, communication and authenticity.

Link: http://psychology.suite101.com/article.cfm/fear_of_intimacy

This article appears on the Australian Institute of Family Studies; it presents an overview of the effects childhood sexual abuse has on adult survivors. Among the issues it reports are alcoholism, intimacy, self-esteem and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It's a good overview and worth the time for partners of survivors to read.

Link: http://www.aifs.gov.au/nch/pubs/issues/issues9/issues9.html

This article talks about secondary trauma and secondary victims - i.e. partners and others in relationship with survivors of sexual abuse. It found that couples, in which one or both partners are survivors, reported significantly lower marital satisfaction, higher individual stress symptoms, and lower family cohesion than couples with no abuse history. They found that many of the problems reported by survivors also are reported by their partners, including individual stress symptoms, isolation, poor relationship quality, and reduced intimacy.

Link: findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3658/is_200004/ai_n8884701

This is a popular book about the author's personal experience in a relationship with a survivor, and how they made it through the recovery process.

Link: www.amazon.com/Ghosts-Bedroom-Partners-Incest-Survivors/dp/155874116X

This book is geared towards men who are in relationships with female survivors.

Link: www.amazon.com/Helping-Female-Partners-Childhood-Sexual/dp/0921165382