Letting Go of Shame Around Orgasm During Abuse

The following is a summary with key points of the video.

Breaking the Silence Around a Natural Response

Experiencing an orgasm during abuse is something that many survivors struggle to talk about. The shame surrounding it can be overwhelming, making individuals feel isolated, confused, and filled with shame. But the truth is, this is a normal physiological response. Your body reacts to stimulation the way it was designed to—without this meaning you wanted, enjoyed, or consented to what happened.

The Body’s Natural Response to Stimulation

Sexual response is an automatic function of the body, just like breathing or blinking. When sexually stimulated, the body reacts—whether the experience is consensual or not. For both men and women, this response is biological. It does not indicate desire or agreement; it simply means the body is working as it was meant to.

We often hear stories of young boys experiencing erections or ejaculation without any conscious control. The same applies to female bodies, though the signs may be less outwardly visible. Regardless of gender, the body’s reactions are not a reflection of personal desire or character. They are simply a function of physiology.

Releasing the Shame and Moving Forward

The most damaging effect of experiencing an orgasm during abuse is the shame it creates. This shame can lead to difficulties in adult sexual relationships, sometimes making it hard to experience pleasure in healthy, consensual encounters. This emotional block is often tied to the unresolved guilt and confusion surrounding past experiences.

But here’s what survivors need to hear: You are not at fault. Your body responded in a way that is entirely natural. That response does not define you or your worth. Letting go of the shame means allowing yourself to heal, to trust your body again, and to experience intimacy in a way that feels safe and fulfilling.

Cultivating Understanding and Reclaiming Your Experience

If you have carried guilt or shame over your body’s response during abuse, it’s now safe to release it. You do not need to share your experience if you don’t want to. It is, however, important to learn to experience self-compassion and understanding. You nor your body did anything wrong and there is nothing to be ashamed of.

You deserve to experience connection, pleasure, and healing on your own terms. If shame has held you back, consider speaking to a trusted therapist or support group. Healing is possible, and you are worthy of a future free from shame.

If this topic resonates with you, know that you are not alone. Feel free to share your thoughts, ask questions, or simply take in this message at your own pace. You deserve peace and healing.

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Comments

2 responses to “Understanding Involuntary Responses: Letting Go of Shame Around Orgasm During Abuse”

  1. Jessica Avatar
    Jessica

    The following comment contains a few courageously shared details of abuse. Please be mindful of your capacity as you proceed.

    Wow! I really need to show my sister this website. Incredible information that I personally had no idea about. She and I were both abused by the same two people. Some of this stuff we have never discussed but it’s so useful to help guide us. I sometimes feel guilty for never speaking up, as my sister is younger than me. Our brothers were never abused to the best of our knowledge. But perhaps I can also share this website with them as well in case they were and are being quiet about it. The shame is real! Especially since our own father started the whole thing. Personally, he’d find ways to show me his naked body. This happened from ages of 11-18 really. Nakedness was something that even our church would speak out about, being a very sinful thing, but probably 10-15 times throughout those ages, I saw him naked. And it wasn’t just nakedness, it was fully erect. He was proud of it and wanted me and my sister to see. And a couple times, he encouraged me to even touch it, once even putting it in my face when he’d pull me into bed with him. I’d scream though, so he’d let me go before it got too far. Then there was my grandpa, my mom’s dad. He’d take vacations with us and sometimes shared a bed with me or my sister. He’d give me these amazing massages that I’d fall asleep to. I really enjoyed them! After spending all day walking or at the beach, they felt great. But then, I’d wake up with my clothes off and him he’d be ummm, basically giving me oral sex, although at the time I didn’t know it. Especially when I was 11 or 12. By the time I was 13 or maybe 14, I was able to sleep in my own bed, but that allowed him to sleep with my younger sister who experienced the same thing and for a longer period of time/ That brings much guilt to me, as she was only about 9 when it started for her, and lasted for several years. And as this website shows, my grandpa would make it feel really good to us so we had all the shame during these years. Thanks for writing about this, will be forwarding to my sister at the very least. Thank you

    1. Peggy Oliveira, MSW Avatar

      Hi Jessica. I apologize for the delay in responding. First, welcome to Courageous Journeys! Thank you for sharing. 💜 I’m so glad you found this helpful. I hope those you share it with will find it helpful too. Living with the shame of sexual abuse is so incredibly impactful. While it may seem impossible, shedding the shame is possible. You both deserve healing. 💜

      I have a YouTube channel with 1k+ videos you might find helpful as well. youtube.com/peggyoliveiramsw. Depending on where you are on your healing journey, I also have some healing courses and tools you mind find helpful. You can check them out here if you’re interested. https://courageousjourneys.com/courses

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