Trauma Informed Intervention Worksheet - Survivors of Anal Sexual Assault & Rape

Enjoying Anal Sex After Trauma

Trauma Informed Intervention Worksheet for Survivors of Anal sExual Assault or Rape

This worksheet is designed to help sexual assault survivors recover after anal sexual assault and rape. Exercises include: mapping anxiety & pain, identifying PTSD symptoms of hypervigilance, building safety in intimate relationships, and consent discussions.

Get your copy of Sun Point Wellness Center’s “Enjoying Anal Sex After Trauma” - Trauma Informed Exercises, by clicking here:

Ask Laura 

Question: I experienced sexual assault experience in college that has me anxious about bottoming again.  I’m working through it with a therapist but now that I’m starting to date someone new, I’m not sure about how to discuss anal sex being triggering at times.  Honestly, I’m not sure I ever want to share the details of the assault with my new boyfriend, but I do want to enjoy sex with him. What do you recommend? ~Overwhelmed with Triggering Details

Dear OWTD, 

Trauma takes time to heal from - and I'm proud of you for beginning working through your assault with a therapist. Sharing your trauma narrative is up to you to choose whether to disclose with anyone in your life, including your boyfriend.

There are two important pieces to consider with your new boyfriend. 1) What is important is that you communicate to your new partner what romantic/sensual/sexual activities are ok or are not ok. 2) Discussing any triggers and/or pain that may occur during intimacy. Here's a resource I created- Enjoying Anal Sex After Trauma - if helpful to discuss intimacy with your partner.  I’d encourage you to work through sections of the worksheet with your therapist first. My hope for you is to find erotic activities that are pleasurable that will not trigger any unpleasant memories with your new partner.