In my thesis, I focused on researching the experiences of victims of sexual abuse, the emphasis was on forming partner relationships after surviving sexual abuse. In an overview of the problem, I presented what sexual abuse is, who are the perpetrators, what consequences sexual abuse leaves, what are survival strategies and what recovery looks like. I also touched on establishing a partner relationship after surviving sexual abuse and experiencing intimacy. In the research part of my thesis, I conducted conversations with ten participants, where I researched what their life and relationship look like. I have discovered that sexual abuse is trauma that leaves long-term consequences on a person that are specific to each victim, so it is extremely difficult to generalize the results. Anyone can be the perpetrator of abuse and abuse can happen at any point in life. Feelings after the experience mostly include guilt, fear, self-blame, triggers and flashbacks often appear. It is difficult to classify survival strategies into good or bad, since they help a person to deal whit the consequences of the abuse. Recovery is a long-term process that does not always follow certain steps. I also found that the support of friends proved to be the key in recovery, but the reactions of experts were often harmful. The participants formed romantic relationships that they described as loving, secure, respectful and full of communication. Abuse was revealed to partners and the responses helped or hurt the relationship. Victims trust their partners and try to set both personal and intimate boundaries. In a relationship, they are able to take care of themselves, feel loved and communicate unsatisfied needs with their partner. They often experience obstacles in intimacy. I believe that more attention should be paid to the topic of establishing relationships after surviving sexual abuse, because relationships are an integral part of every life. More should also be done in the direction of public awareness, education of those helping, and establishment and promotion of organizations dealing with this topic.
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