Navigating Intimacy after Sexual Abuse

Intimacy after SA is a journey back to yourself, a reclamation of the body as a place of tenderness, belonging, and love. It asks for courage and immense gentleness, meeting each step with reverence. For those carrying these wounds, intimacy becomes a sacred process of healing, not something to rush through, but something to honour in its unfolding.

This journey begins within. Before intimacy with another, you are invited to turn toward yourself. Sit with your breath. Feel its rhythm move through your body. Place your hands on your heart or belly and rest there. These small acts of connection are not small at all, they are seeds of trust, quiet murmurings of safety returning to your being.

Navigating intimacy is about tuning into what feels true. Boundaries are vital, knowing what feels safe, what feels too much, and what you need to feel held. These boundaries may shift as you heal, and that’s part of the process. There’s no rush, only a gentle unfolding.

Touch becomes sacred when it’s approached with intention. It might look like holding yourself softly, letting your own hands remind you of your wholeness. Or, if you’re ready to share intimacy with another, it’s about inviting slowness and open communication. Being seen and heard in your needs is its own kind of healing.

Breath is a bridge. When fear arises, your breath anchors you, bringing softness to tension. With each breath, you guide yourself back to the present moment, creating space for trust to grow. Healing intimacy thrives in this slowness. Your body begins to feel safe again. Pleasure becomes a quiet, tender reminder that love and connection can nourish and ground you.

This is a rediscovery, a remembering of the sacredness within you. Each step, no matter how small, is an act of devotion to yourself and your healing. Your body is sacred. Your story is sacred. And your healing will unfold in its perfect rhythm.