Sexual Abuse: Insights from a Trauma Therapist

[@deep3r]

Thanks ❤️🙏🫂 From Italy.

[@GayMenGoingDeeper]

Thank you so much for tuning in!

[@julianshort3499]

Thank you both for this conversation, honest & insightful 🌈🙏❤️

[@GayMenGoingDeeper]

Thank you so much for your kind words! We're glad you found the conversation honest and insightful. Your support means a lot to us.🌈😍

[@kso808]

Very interesting episode. Especially about the ketamine integration process in therapy.

[@GayMenGoingDeeper]

Thank you! We're glad you found the episode interesting, especially the discussion on the ketamine integration process in therapy. Your feedback is appreciated!😍

[@Iamnotxasin]

I got SAed by a senior in school , at ten, i told my mum at 16, and she had a problem with me "acting" feminine more than me getting assaulted, she straight up did not even talk about the assaut, which only made me blame myself more for it

[@GayMenGoingDeeper]

Thank you for sharing your experience 🙏Give yourself permission to feel your way through this. Be gentle with yourself 💖

[@MrLetmein2011]

Thank you for this very helpful and informative talk ❤️

[@GayMenGoingDeeper]

Thank you for your kind words! We're glad you found the talk helpful and informative. Your support means a lot to us.😍

[@MrLetmein2011]

❤️💙💜💛💚🧡

[@ljrockstar69]

Great topic! Thank you for this podcast, much needed as I have experienced childhood sexual abuse by a teenager when I was 9, and it was repeatedly. It was traumatizing at that age in a way that the whole concept was unknown to me at that age, but he made it feel normal and felt pleasure by it. Although, he imposed fear on me on not telling anyone. It made me felt shame and I don't know if this sexual abuse contributed to me being a homosexual, if there is any correlation at all. But, I didn't have attraction to other males in my grade school years, not until when I was in high school, that's when it kicked in. There is a stigma regarding men who have been sexual abused in their childhood, and makes it real difficult to come forward and talking about and it's struggle that happens all the time. Thank you Michael for providing insight to this sensitive topic, wish I had a therapist like you who understands this topic in depth in homosexual men.

[@GayMenGoingDeeper]

Thank you so much for sharing this. We're sorry to hear that you have experienced childhood sexual abuse. We're here for you. Sending virtual hugs.🤗 If you need to be acquainted with a supportive community, please join Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/gaymensbrotherhood

[@ljrockstar69]

@@GayMenGoingDeeper Thank you for your support, I felt alone in this and wasn't comfortable telling my parents at that time. I was afraid of the shame and repercussions. What Michael mentioned in 18:13 is exactly how I feel the conflicting part is the start of confusion and doubt. I'm glad there are more options today and as an adult, I'm more comfortable talking about it. Also, thanks for the link! I will look into it. Keep up the good work!

[@GayMenGoingDeeper]

@@ljrockstar69 Thank you so much, stay strong.😌

[@s0me0nelse]

I have a suggestion and a question First my suggestion, I hoped that maybe in this episode you will talk more about fear of men (in general, not only straights) that can develop after sexual abuse, but it may be a bigger topic to address in this frame so maybe you can think about dedicating a whole episode about that only. I as someone who had this experience think that I may suffer from fear of men, and valuating and seeking validation majorly through sex, I would like to hear an episode with tips how to heal this tendency. And a question is, if children who are sexually abused by adults most of the time remember those events as pleasurable, where the trauma or the stress response evolve from? Is it from late interpretation of earlier events from grown up perspective?

[@arjenbeuckens9693]

Thank you for sharing! I would like to work on my bounderies not only sexual but also in other personal areas. I live in the Netherlands can you please advice a male therapist?

[@GayMenGoingDeeper]

Thank you for sharing. It's great that you're looking to work on your boundaries. For a male therapist in the Netherlands, we recommend checking out local directories or therapy platforms like TherapyRoute or iPractice. You may also visit Michael's website: www.michaelpezzullo.com/

[@hardpathpoet2859]

I think his observation about gay men talking about CSA in therapy may also have someone to do with a possible lower likelihood of straight men to seek therapy. Gay men may also be more ready to reject the shame one may feel from CSA.

[@GayMenGoingDeeper]

Thank you for sharing your insight! You bring up a very important point. The willingness of gay men to seek therapy and openly discuss sensitive topics like CSA is crucial for healing and growth. It's true that overcoming shame can be a significant part of this process. Encouraging open conversations and breaking down barriers to seeking help is essential for everyone. Thanks again for contributing to the discussion!🙂

[@user-ms6ml3xs3b]

❤️🏳️‍🌈💚🏳️‍🌈💜🏳️‍🌈🖤🏳️‍🌈🩵🏳️‍🌈

[@gw6482]

Consent, people, CONSENT!!! So easy, so basic, yet so forgotten or ignored so frequently. Thanks for opening so many eyes with this, I hope you help people who need it. 🫶🏻

[@GayMenGoingDeeper]

Thank you for your comment! Consent is indeed crucial and often overlooked. We're glad to be raising awareness and hope it makes a positive impact.😍

[@Phoenix-uv2ok]

Childhood sexual abuse is often cited by pro-conversion therapy people as being the cause for the development of homosexual feelings.

[@GayMenGoingDeeper]

Thank you for bringing this up. It's important to understand that the idea of childhood sexual abuse causing homosexual feelings has been widely discredited by major mental health organizations. Conversion therapy has also been proven to be harmful and ineffective. It's crucial to approach these topics with accurate information and compassion.❤

[@Phoenix-uv2ok]

​@@GayMenGoingDeeper In some cases, it can cause development of same sex feelings but yes, correlation doesn't always equal to causation. Often times, we put emphasis on sexual attraction and label people as gay, bi, etc. but the question that's more important is whether you are also romantically attracted to the person as well. I mean there are people who have had sex with men but they are straight- for them it's more of a fetish and they don't feel romantic attraction towards men. As for conversion therapy, yes it has the potential of causing harm. There's also another subset of conversion therapy called "Reperative Therapy" / "Reintegrative Therapy " popular in some circles.

[@TheBee87bee]

Religion plays a negative part ,the shame of breaking their doctrine and told you will go to hell.

[@ninfreak95]

This is not always the case. It often is, but I found more acceptance for myself in reevaluating my faith than in ignoring it. Feeling loved and purposefully designed really helped when trying to get out of the "it's not natural" kind of abuse that a lot of toxic "religious" people put me through as a child.

[@kennethbailey9853]

Well traumatic or not , As old as I am no one ever even thinks to sexually abuse me. My trauma mostly stems from these 3 decades of no sex ! 😮

[@GayMenGoingDeeper]

We're sorry to hear you've been feeling this way. Everyone's experiences and feelings are valid, and it's important to acknowledge them. Thank you for sharing your story. 💖

[@TheBee87bee]

Does this mean as a young child or older person, that they are to blame ?

[@GayMenGoingDeeper]

Thank you for your question. It is important to clarify that no one is ever to blame for being a victim of sexual abuse, regardless of their age. The responsibility always lies with the perpetrator.🙂