Communicating a History of Sexual Trauma: Partner Responses to Women's Disclosure

The study aimed to understand how women who experienced sexual trauma but are now in a healthy relationship perceive their partners’ responses to their disclosure of sexual trauma. Forty-one women completed an in-depth semi-structured phone interview. Responses were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis, identifying two overarching themes and six subthemes. The results provide a voice to the needs and preferences of women who experienced sexual trauma, but are navigating communication in a healthy relationship. Given that most women disclosed their experiences with partners, this sample provides valuable insight for clinicians, interventionists, and partners of survivors to navigate supportive interactions.