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Sexual Health Centre
Sexual Expression |
The Impact of Violence
Violence and sexual assault
can have a deep impact on a woman's life including her sexual responses
and relationships. Sexual assault is any unwanted sexual contact or attention.
It can also include name-calling or anything that makes you feel bad about
your sexual self or physical appearance.
If the assault has just occurred or if you are with a violent partner, here is how to get help.
Even if the abuse happened a long time ago, it can still influence your relationships with others, although your current partner may be loving and supportive. If a woman has been assaulted or abused she may:
- not want to be touched
- feel like she will never enjoy sex again
- not be able to relax during sex
- have disturbing memories of the assault(s) that may be triggered in some sexual situations
- feel emotionally detached from her sexual activities
- feel shame or self-conscious about her body
These feelings can be very painful for a woman and for her partner(s). It is not
unusual for a woman having these feelings to also feel angry with herself
or her partner. If you have these feelings, you should not try to deal with
them alone. Therapy can help a survivor of abuse deal with her feelings
and may ultimately help her find a healthy way of participating in sexual
relationships.
Women's College Hospital offers programs for survivors of physical and sexual
abuse, through our Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Care Centre at (416)-323-6040.
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