How To Navigate Dating After Sexual Assault

"We often don’t have a choice about when we recall traumatic memories. Part of our brain sends off a smoke alarm and says: 'we need to get out of here, or play dead.'" "Identify what you need to feel safe and telegraph your expectations clearly. The people who aren't good enough for you will drop away."

Story from Mind Even When You’re Ready, Dating After Sexual Assault Is Complicated HOLLY BODEKER-SMITH Last Updated 22 August 2022 , 6:49 Content warning: This article discusses sexual assault and abuse in a way that may be distressing to some readers . PHOTO BY JOSE ESPINOLA Ever since she was a teenager, dating felt different for Alex*. At 13, she and her first boyfriend were on a date at the movies when he leaned in to kiss her. “I had a panic attack and ran out onto the street,” she tells Refinery29 . “I had no idea why. I’d kissed him before.” Ashamed by her reaction, she didn’t tell anyo

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