We often hear pet owners—particularly dog lovers—attempt to train man’s best friend to: “Roll over and play dead!” On the surface, this behavioral conditioning session appears to be just for fun and games. The owner enjoys an opportunity to develop or maintain secure attachment with the pet, and the pet looks forward to a tasty treat after compliance. However, have you ever taken a moment to … [Read more...] about Secret Lifesaver: The Freeze Response (Tonic Immobility) and Sexual Assault-related Trauma
Sexual Trauma and Abuse
10 Things you Should Know About Women & Trauma
Whether you are a woman who has experienced a traumatic event or are wondering how to support a female partner who has experienced a traumatic event, it is helpful to know more about how gender impacts the way women experience trauma. Gender can influence the way people experience trauma due to expectations of behavior based on social/cultural gender norms, how much a person ascribes to gender … [Read more...] about 10 Things you Should Know About Women & Trauma
10 Things You Should Know About Men & Trauma
Whether you are a man who has experienced a traumatic event or are wondering how to support a male partner who has experienced a traumatic event, it is helpful to know more about how gender impacts the way men experience trauma. Gender can influence the way people experience trauma due to expectations of behavior based on social/cultural gender norms, how much a person ascribes to gender role … [Read more...] about 10 Things You Should Know About Men & Trauma
When Trauma Gets in the Way of Treating Pelvic or Sexual Pain
If you have pelvic or sexual pain your doctor may have recommended you do pelvic floor physical therapy. Other recommendations may have also included dilator therapy or getting injections or using suppositories. These treatments not only require time, energy and financial resources, but they can also be triggering for those with trauma in their past. Sexual trauma, medical trauma, an abusive … [Read more...] about When Trauma Gets in the Way of Treating Pelvic or Sexual Pain
Understanding the Connection Between Trauma & Sexual/Pelvic Pain
Many studies now support the connection between trauma and the later development of sexual or pelvic pain in women. One population-based study of adult women found that sexual, physical and psychological abuse was linked to a four to six-fold increased risk of genital pain in adulthood (Harlow & Stewart, 2005). Another 2011 study found that teen girls suffering from genital pain reported … [Read more...] about Understanding the Connection Between Trauma & Sexual/Pelvic Pain
Coercive Sexual Experiences
An experience that is not usually represented in sexual assault or sexual violence statistics is the experience of sexual coercion. However, coercive sexual experiences are a type of sexual assault and sexual violence and can cause similar trauma related symptoms. Many women who have coercive sexual experiences struggle with how to label or name what has happened to them. Review the checklist … [Read more...] about Coercive Sexual Experiences