Imani and Dr. Kate talk about a new area of research that explores the impact of a child’s sexual victimization on the lives and sex lives of the parents of the child. This traumatic event for the child can take its toll on the parents as well. Feelings of guilt, concern for their child’s mental health, shock, can all lead to a breakdown of communication and little interest in sexual activity with their partner.
CHAPTERS: 00:00 – 2:37 Introduction of Imani Reynolds
02:37 – 04:17 How Imani chose this area of research
04:18 – 05:32 Looking at how parents are impacted and why it may go unsupported
05:33 – 08:13 What Imani has learned in her research, including emotional and psychological effects and what factors impact their response
08:14 – 09:35 Difference in impact between mothers and fathers
09:36 – 11:00 how can CSA impact the relationship between parents
11:01 – 12:01 Trust concerns between parents
12:02 – 13:42 what might partners observe in their relationship if things aren’t fully resolved in the wake of the crisis
13:43 – 15:31 Why does tension arise between partners?
15:32 – 17:49 Parents who have also been victimized as children and what role that plays in their impact
17:50 – 21:00 If a child in the family unit is the perpetrator, what can parents do in that situation and how does it affect their relationships with one another?
21:01 – 23:03 how shrouding a CSA situation in secrecy ultimately does not help
23:04 – 24:05 Working with an agency can help parents work through ongoing risks
24:06 – 26:23 How can parents rebuild a sexual connection with one another after being impacted by CSA?
26:24 – 28:56 Discussing Imani’s research and what she is looking for / how individuals can become involved
28:57 – 30:41 Outro
Imani Reynolds is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of California and a board-certified sexologist. Imani is currently a doctoral student in Human Sexuality with research focused on sexual desire, sexual intimacy, and sexual trauma.
