Childhood Sexual Trauma in Adults & How it Changes Relationships
Childhood sexual abuse trauma in adults can deeply influence how we relate to ourselves, our bodies, our sexuality and how we attach and engage with others. These experiences are often carried in the body and nervous system long after the events occurred, shaping patterns in ways we might not consciously realize. For many survivors, these patterns only become clear later in life, especially in intimate or emotionally vulnerable situations.
Whether the trauma is remembered vividly or exists as repressed childhood sexual trauma, its effects can be profound — showing up in trust, communication, boundaries, emotional closeness, how we attach to others, and how we relate with our bodies. By understanding these patterns, healing becomes possible.
Signs of Sexual Abuse Trauma in Adults
The impact of childhood sexual trauma symptoms in adults can vary widely, but some common signs include:
Difficulty trusting others, even in safe relationships
Fear of vulnerability or emotional closeness
Feeling “on guard” or hypervigilant in certain situations
Unexplained feelings of shame, guilt, or self-blame
Chronic tension or discomfort in the body, especially in the genitals but can also be in the abdomen or other parts of the body
Avoidance of intimacy or, conversely, seeking it in ways that feel disconnected
Emotional and/or physical numbness or dissociation, especially in situations that are or feel sexual
Unintentional involvement in unwanted sexual situations – Some survivors may find themselves entering or staying in sexual situations they don’t truly want, often overlooking red flags or missing early warning signs. This can stem from past conditioning, difficulty asserting boundaries, or a nervous system that has learned to freeze or appease in moments of discomfort.
Heightened fear for children’s safety – Parents who are survivors of childhood sexual trauma may feel a constant sense of worry or hypervigilance about their children’s safety. This can show up as frequent scanning for potential threats, intense anxiety in public spaces, or a persistent fear that harm could come to their child, even in relatively safe situations.
Sexual trauma in childhood can impact adult sexuality in very different ways. For some survivors, the experience may lead to a complete shutdown of sexual desire or an avoidance of intimacy altogether, as the body associates sexual connection with danger or discomfort. For others, it may create a pattern of hypersexuality — seeking frequent sexual experiences, sometimes without emotional connection — as a way to reclaim control, numb emotional pain, or meet deep unmet needs for safety and validation. Both responses are natural adaptations to trauma, shaped by how the nervous system learned to protect itself.
Hypersexuality that stems from childhood sexual abuse trauma in adults can include:
Frequent pursuit of sexual experiences that may feel disconnected from emotional intimacy or genuine desire
Using sexual encounters to cope with emotional pain, loneliness, or anxiety
Engaging in risky sexual behaviors despite feeling unsafe or uncomfortable
Feeling compelled to be sexual even when not truly wanting to, in order to gain approval, attention, or a sense of control
Confusing sexual attention with love or safety, leading to repeated involvement with unhealthy partners
Difficulty saying “no” to sexual advances, even when uncomfortable
Seeking multiple partners or frequent sexual contact to temporarily fill emotional voids
Feeling a loss of control over sexual impulses or behaviors
Choosing sexual activity as a way to avoid emotions such as sadness, fear, or shame
Disconnecting from the body during sexual experiences, treating them as transactional rather than intimate
When childhood sexual trauma either shuts someone down or makes them hypersexual—Neither reflects a person’s true sexual essence, and with healing, it’s possible to reconnect with sexuality in a way that feels safe, authentic, and fulfilling.
How Childhood Sexual Trauma Affects Your Adult Relationships?
Adult childhood sexual trauma can influence every aspect of how we connect — from dating to long-term partnerships, friendships, and even professional relationships. Here are some of the most common ways it may show up:
1. Trust and Safety
Trauma often disrupts a person’s sense of safety. This can make trusting others feel risky, even if logically you know someone is kind or dependable. You might notice yourself testing people, pulling away when things get close, or feeling suspicious without a clear reason.
2. Boundaries
For many survivors, boundaries can be either too rigid or too porous. You may find it hard to say “no”, or you might agree to things you don’t really want to do. On the other hand, people who become more rigid may keep others at a distance to avoid feeling vulnerable.
3. Attachment Patterns
Childhood sexual abuse can lead to attachment styles that impact relationships well into adulthood. This may include anxious attachment (fearing abandonment) or avoidant attachment (withdrawing to feel safe).
4. Body Connection and Intimacy
Because trauma is stored in the body, physical closeness can trigger discomfort, anxiety, or dissociation. Even in loving relationships, the body might react as if it’s in danger.
5. Conflict and Communication
Survivors may struggle to speak up about their needs, fear conflict, or avoid confrontation altogether — or they may feel easily triggered by certain tones, words, or behaviors.
If you’re noticing these signs in yourself, you’re not broken — your body and mind adapted to protect you. Healing is possible. If you’re ready to gently reconnect with your body and create safer, more fulfilling relationships, you can explore working with me here.
is Trauma holding you back?
Are you feeling stuck in life, disconnected, or somehow not yourself? Or maybe you carry a sense of unease in your body, struggling with anxiety or a feeling that something isn’t quite right.
As a somatic experiencing practitioner I specialize in helping people process and release stored trauma through gentle yet effective methods.
Download my FREE guide “Get Unstuck! The Truth About Body Trauma and How to Break Free’ and learn how to create the future you deserve.
Signs of Repressed Childhood Sexual Trauma in Adults
Sometimes trauma is hidden from conscious memory, especially if it happened at a young age. In these cases, the body often communicates through:
Chronic pelvic or abdominal tension
Unexplained fear, anxiety or panic in intimate situations
Feeling disconnected from your body or emotions
Patterns of self-sabotage in relationships
Physical pain or health issues without a clear medical cause
Recognizing these signs can be the first step toward understanding and healing.
The Path Toward Healing
While the effects of childhood sexual abuse trauma in adults can feel overwhelming, healing is possible with the right support. Somatic approaches, like Somatic Experiencing®, breathwork, art therapy, and gentle body-based practices, can help release stored trauma and rebuild a sense of safety and connection.
Healing doesn’t mean erasing the past — it means creating new patterns where your relationships feel safe, nourishing, and authentic.
You don’t have to navigate this alone. If you’re ready to explore a body-based approach to healing childhood sexual trauma, I invite you to schedule a private session or join my online program. Together, we’ll create a safe, supportive space for your nervous system to heal and for you to reconnect with yourself and others in a way that feels grounded and free. Learn more here.
Brianna Anderson, SEP
I’m here to help you heal so you can begin to live the life of your dreams
My private practice specializes in helping people who have endured trauma, resolve the symptoms out of their body, mind & spirit so they can feel comfortable in their skin, find inner peace and live the desires of their heart.
I am based out of South Orange County, Ca and offer online therapy sessions. Whether you are just starting your healing journey or ready to try something new, I am here to help.