Sexual Trauma

Jun 15, 2025 Features / Columnists, News

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By Dr. Telford Layne Jr. PsyD, MSc. Postgrad, BSc.

Clinical and Developmental Psychologist – Psychoanalyst

Unwrapping Gift – Clinic

Kaieteur News – In Guyana, we are witnessing a concerning and progressive rise in cases of sexual assaults and sexual abuse against children under 12 years, with girls being disproportionately affected and a troubling increase among boys as well. Additionally, we are observing alarming trends in sexual assaults and abuse targeting teenagers and adults across multiple contexts. Guyana is entrenched in a culture of rape and sexual assault that is perpetuated by societal systems, compounded by incompetence and the absence of effective governmental policies. The justice system is failing to protect victims and adequately punish and rehabilitate perpetrators.

Sexual trauma encompasses the physical and psychological challenges faced by survivors of sexual assault. It is imperative to understand the different forms of sexual abuse, which include:

 **Verbal Sexual Abuse: ** This involves the use of spoken or written words to convey sexual content in various settings—at work, socially, or at home. Expressions like sexual jokes, teasing about physical traits, graphic descriptions, and unwanted romantic advances all contribute to this abuse.

**Covert Sexual Abuse: ** This occurs without the victim’s awareness and may include being observed or stalked without consent, as well as sexual harassment through digital platforms.

 **Visual Sexual Abuse: ** Our culture is saturated with sexually explicit images, and exposure to such content without consent constitutes sexual abuse. This can manifest in unwanted visuals, sexting, public nudity, or sexual acts performed in the presence of non-consenting individuals.

**Physical Sexual Abuse: ** This form of abuse includes any non-consensual touching, fondling, or coercive actions, such as unwanted sexual contact, made possible through power differentials. Consent cannot be assumed if the individual does not explicitly say “no.”

Sexual trauma can arise from any non-consensual sexual experience that violates the boundaries of an individual, often resulting in survivors exhibiting either hypersexual or hyposexual behavior. Regardless of gender or age, anyone in Guyana who has been coerced or forced into unwanted sexual activities is a victim of sexual abuse.

The psychological impact of sexual trauma is profound. It stands as one of the most devastating forms of trauma, resulting in immediate and long-lasting physical, mental, and emotional consequences. These effects vary by gender, age, and duration of the trauma, and they are crippling for survivors. Common reactions include intense emotional responses to mundane situations, feelings of numbness, sleep disturbances, memory and concentration issues, substance abuse, relationship difficulties, and physical health problems. Survivors may experience emotional outbursts, self-harm, suicidal thoughts or attempts, anxiety, and depression.

The outcomes of sexual trauma generally fall into two broad categories:

**Hypersexual Behavior: ** This compulsive sexual behavior, often referred to as hypersexuality or sexual addiction, involves an uncontrollable focus on sexual fantasies and activities, leading to distress in various aspects of life. This reality predominantly affects females who experienced sexual trauma before the age of 12, though boys can also be impacted.

**Hyposexual Behavior:** Also known as Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD), this condition is marked by a persistent lack of sexual desire or fantasies, resulting in significant interpersonal difficulties. It commonly affects adult females who have endured sexual trauma past the age of 13. Males who experience sexual trauma may not have a specific age of onset, but often exhibit sexual aggression toward other males or themselves, along with confusion regarding their sexual identity.

As a clinician, I recognize the urgent need to address and rectify this crisis in Guyana. It is crucial to recognize the recurring cycle that exists between survivors and predators, creating a toxic and unsafe environment. Survivors endure crippling traumas repeatedly, often with different individuals over time. This is not a one-time occurrence. As a result, these survivors remain hypervigilant and overly alert, constantly preparing for the next potential threat as they strategize their responses to prevent future incidents. There seems to be an unconscious imaginary bonding between predator and survivors

There are two significant psychological consequences faced by sexual trauma survivors over the long term, in addition to the immediate impacts already mentioned.

**Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD): **

Sexual abuse plays a pivotal role in the development of borderline personality disorder, particularly in women. Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is a major risk factor for BPD, and rates of adult sexual abuse (ASA) are significantly higher among individuals with BPD compared to other personality disorders. The onset of BPD often occurs at a young age, primarily during childhood. BPD is notoriously complex and challenging to manage. It is characterized by chronic instability, including severe emotional and impulsive dysregulation, as well as disturbances in interpersonal relationships and identity. Individuals with BPD exhibit heightened emotional sensitivity and struggle to regulate intense emotional responses, often remaining stuck in a state of emotional turmoil.

Signs and symptoms that foreshadow personality disorders are often evident in adolescents, indicating that BPD does not emerge suddenly during adulthood. Instead, it develops from early distortions in object relations and dysfunctional attachment patterns, leading to issues such as an intolerance of being alone, hypersensitivity to environmental cues, and a tendency to expect detachment and hostility from others, along with a loss of positive memories related to relationships.

Survivors of sexual trauma who develop personality disorders struggle to maintain healthy relationships, whether romantic, friendly, or professional. They may experience emotional outbursts, substance abuse, and other related symptoms.

**Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): **

Research indicates that up to 94 per cent of sexual assault survivors exhibit PTSD symptoms within the first two weeks after the event, with around 50 per cent suffering from long-term effects. This is even more pronounced among child victims, who often lack the knowledge or resources to seek help, resulting in a lifetime burden of PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

Survivors frequently feel overwhelmed and shocked immediately following the incident, but long-term effects include symptoms of depression, anxiety, heightened suicidality, and post-traumatic stress disorder—a reality also experienced by physical assault survivors. One significant factor contributing to the development of PTSD is the pervasive feelings of shame and guilt. Many survivors grapple with self-blame, complicating their recovery process.

Survivors often find it challenging to move past their violations, experiencing hypervigilance—a key symptom of PTSD—that keeps them in a state of alertness.

**Treatment for Sexual Trauma: **

Survivors of sexual trauma, regardless of its nature, require closure and healing. If you, your child, or a friend has experienced such trauma, it is imperative to seek professional psychotherapy. It’s essential to understand the profound impact of these experiences on your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors towards yourself and others. Achieving closure and healing is the only way to reclaim your quality of life and regain power over your circumstances.

**Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): ** This method targets negative thought patterns that accompany trauma, helping individuals navigate the emotions and pain surrounding sexual assault. CBT is effective in counteracting these effects and teaching positive behaviors for better management.

**Group Therapy: ** Survivors can find a safe and supportive environment in group therapy. Sharing experiences with others who have faced similar challenges fosters a vital support network, helping to mitigate the intensity of trauma symptoms.

**Psychodynamic Therapy: ** This approach addresses feelings of isolation, avoidance, and numbing, which serve as reminders of the pain of assault. Psychodynamic therapy tackles emotional conflicts stemming from trauma and aids in rebuilding self-esteem. It provides effective frameworks for thinking about and coping with trauma.

This is my area of specialisation. Don’t hesitate to reach out and start your journey towards a healthier and more empowered life. Together, we can work on saving your relationships, managing emotional upheavals, and addressing any substance abuse issues.

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• Dr. Telford Layne Jr., Psychologist, sexual abuse, Sexual assaults, Sexual Trauma, Verbal Abuse

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