Facilitating Healthy Sexuality and Positive Outcomes for Survivors of Sexual Violence

• Delineating outcomes for the survivor as a healthy sexual person
• Building personal capacities to co-exist with flashbacks, somatic experiences, and presence of moments in living
• Managing triggers as mechanisms for sexual healing
• Defining sexuality and its meanings, barriers to expression, and entitlement for the person impacted by sexual abuse
• Advancing levels of comfort in working with sexuality and trauma
• Examining how sexual trauma affects structure and chemistry of brain and implications for self-care for the traumatized woman and man

Descriptive Narrative

Justine Coulter is a 22-year-old who was referred by the courts for treatment for multiple substance (alcohol, marijuana, crack cocaine) addictions. She has two children, a boy, age 3 and a girl, 10 months both residing in foster care. She does not know who the father(s) of her children are. When screened for HIV, sexually transmitted infections and hepatitis, Ms. Coulter screened positive for Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and Hepatitis C. She does not have her high school diploma, is homeless, and has been in multiple abusive relationships since age 15.

This program offers the clinician specific strategies, knowledge, and resources to advance professional capacity to work with survivors of sexual abuse – often the underpinnings of chaotic living. Through informed and uplifting didactic exercises and lectures, participants learn to facilitate improved body-image and self-care, assist in managing sensitive trauma- and drug linked triggers associated with sexual intimacy, and aid in supporting the survivor’s capacity to be his or her own agent in sexuality and health. Using a case example, participants will have the opportunity to apply clinical knowledge to a person who has been traumatized and is experiencing intimate partner violence. Applications for renewal and sexual discovery and health will be explored.

Learning Objectives

1. Examine neurobiological impact of sexual trauma on survivors’ capacity for sexual intimacy
2. Acquire and participate in activities designed to cultivate the person’s joyful potential to live within and embrace one’s body in healthful ways
3. Assess, through case example, the dilemmas of sexual intimacy, sobriety, and managing of drug- and trauma-linked triggers
4. Acquire knowledge, tools, and resources to support the survivor’s ability to embrace sexuality with safety, pleasure, and healthy choices
5. Broaden comfort zone and ability to work with the trauma victim regarding sexuality and intimacy
6. Appreciate the significance of one’s own sexual journey in forming values, attitudes, and beliefs and applications to clinical practices