**1. Introduction**

Sexual abuse is a traumatic experience that marks a person for the rest of their life and has numerous consequences. Some effects may manifest immediately, others only years after‐ wards. The trauma may even be transferred to the following generations. The purpose of this paper is to present the *theory* and existing *research* in the field of sexual abuse. It also provides an exploration of clinical practice, with descriptions of group therapy cases. It presents the findings of three therapy groups for sexually abused women. Each group included ten participants who met with a family therapist and co-therapist for one year. On the basis of *analysing the content* of their diaries, we describe the therapist's notes and supervision notes (in line with the *grounded theory* method) regarding the most typical experiences relating to pregnancy, childbirth and motherhood.

This paper begins with the definition of sexual abuse, its consequences and the survival methods most commonly used by the abused.

We continue by considering the impact of sexual abuse on the victim's experience of **preg‐ nancy**, **childbirth** and **motherhood**.

*During pregnancy*, a woman's body is particularly sensitive. This is due to the many organ changes that effect her psychic and physical state. Research results show that, during preg‐ nancy, a sexually abused woman has more health problems and is more frequently in conflict with her partner. Furthermore, she experiences higher levels of anxiety and fear, compared to those who have not been sexually abused.

*During childbirth* itself, a mother with a history of sexual abuse has more trust issues with the personnel. Moreover, during gynaecological examinations, she experiences flashbacks that subconsciously trigger her body's memory of the sexual abuse. During the contractions and

pushing, when the woman in labour needs to co-operate most with the medical staff, her body or psyche can react by freezing, panicking or taking complete control. She is also more prone to a caesarean section and other complications.

These feelings and experiences are also often present *in motherhood*. Compared to a mother who has not been sexually abused, a mother with a history of sexual abuse experiences more feelings of guilt, troubles with breastfeeding and various fears.

We conclude this paper by expressing our hope that one can work through the trauma of sexual abuse and start living a full life. Clinical experiences have shown that a woman who resolves her trauma is much more relaxed and happy during pregnancy. She is calmer during childbirth and is a more compassionate mother, compared to a woman who does not resolve her trauma. After all, if the little girl survived the trauma when it happened, she can now survive as a grown woman - the abuse is **no longer** happening, it is only awakening.
