Not only do you want to support your loved one, you also need to deal with your own thoughts and feelings about it all. We want to acknowledge that this can be challenging and confusing for partners, and that, regardless of the closeness of your relationship, this information can be difficult to process and respond to. Often a partner is the first person that a man will ever disclose a history of sexual abuse to. See the comments and questions asked on our page Information for partners of men, as an example. These are people who are deeply concerned about the men in their lives, and at a bit of a loss for how to best support them. Here at Living Well we receive a large number of questions and requests for advice from partners, family members and loved ones of men who have experienced sexual abuse or sexual assault.
If your partner was sexually abused, you undoubtedly have many unanswered questions.