Personal empowerment is a key focus to have when healing from sexual abuse. After all, by definition, sex abuse is an act that involves a tremendous loss of personal safety and control.
In the following four videos, Wendy Maltz shares beneficial messages to help survivors get started on a healing journey to reclaim their personal power and right to enjoy a healthy sex life, of their own making.
Created for the launch of El viaje para sanar la sexualidad, the Spanish edition of her book, The Sexual Healing Journey, these words provide understanding, encouragement, comfort, and hope.
Message 1 – You are not alone
If you were sexually victimized, you are not alone. It is a sad fact that millions of women and men have experienced this type of trauma and harm. It is not unusual for sexual abuse to cause problems with sex and intimacy, years after the abuse, especially when you get in a steady relationship. But regardless of your circumstances, recovery is possible and can be achieved.
Message 2 – You can benefit from good resources
Intimacy problems do not easily go away on their own. Sexual abuse survivors need to experience caring support and good resources, such as El viaje para sanar la sexualidad, to learn how to heal and create sex that is positive, and very different from abuse.
Message 3 – You don’t have to suffer in silence
Sexual abuse survivors often suffer in silence, secrecy, and shame — blaming themselves for the abuse, and its impact, even though it was not their fault. Sexual healing involves developing compassion for yourself, taking control of your life now, and being able to create what you want for yourself and your intimate relationship.
Message 4 – Healing from abuse is worth the effort
Sexual healing can be challenging. But it’s worth the effort. You learn new ideas, develop compassion for yourself, and practice new approaches to touch and sexual sharing. The good news is that healing is possible, even in this intimate area.
Sexual health is a gift you give yourself, your relationship, and by extension, your family, and community. When you reclaim your sexuality, you reclaim yourself.
