How up to 15 women in Aotearoa, 18 years or older, and who had experienced childhood sexual abuse, make sense of their lived experiences of consensual sexual desire and pleasure during adulthood after the age of 16.
This research does not explore participants' childhood sexual abuse.
This PhD research explores
Project importance
Research aim
A lot of research focuses on the lasting damage childhood sexual abuse has.
In doing this, it can also ignore the strengths and resilience of those who survived childhood sexual abuse, including the possibility of enjoying sexual desire and pleasure as adults.
I aim to address this gap in the research.
This research is strengths-based, which provides valuable insights and is connected to positive results in treatment. Some strengths-based studies suggest that some people who have experienced childhood sexual abuse can heal and have positive sexual experiences, despite the abuse endured.
Focusing on strengths does not negate the negative impacts
Rather this study aims to increase an understanding of positive, consensual sexual experiences in adulthood from women who have experienced childhood sexual abuse.
My personal point of view
As a childhood sexual abuse survivor, I've found that my personal experiences of enjoying adult sexual intimacy, desire, pleasure does not align with literature that heavily focuses on the sexual dysfunctions of women who have experienced childhood sexual abuse.
Additionally,
I have read strengths-based research where women who have experienced childhood sexual abuse advise they have had pleasurable sexual experiences. As a counsellor, I have witnessed this same thing: despite experiencing childhood sexual abuse, women can still enjoy their sex lives.
Who can participate
This study welcomes you to participate if you can say 'yes' to all of the below...
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Actively enjoy your sex life, and feel comfortable discussing some of your positive, consensual, sexual experiences in adulthood from the age of 16 onwards,
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Are currently 18 years or older,
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Identify as a woman,
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Conversational English proficiency,
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Experienced childhood sexual abuse,
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Have disclosed the childhood sexual abuse you experienced to a trusted person before commencing this study,
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Self-identify as having had positive, consensual sexual experiences during adulthood from the age of 16 onwards,
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Reside in Aotearoa/NZ,
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Have a supportive and trusted person you can connect with during the study,
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Agree to have the interview audio recorded.
And 'no' to all of the below...
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You are currently undergoing psychiatric hospital care (e.g., inpatient, residential),
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Have not disclosed the childhood sexual abuse experienced before showing interest in this study,
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Are a current client or friend/family member of researcher, Chrissy Gillmore,
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Self-identify as currently engaging in sexual behaviour that you consider harmful.
Participant involvement
Phase 1
Your involvement would involve 2 phases:
01
Timeline: Completing a timeline about your positive, consensual sexual experiences from the age of 16 onwards.
An outline of what’s involved is below under 'How much time will I need to commit...' in the 'Frequently asked questions'.
Phase 2
02
Interview: Being interviewed about the positive, consensual sexual experiences you've included in your timeline from Phase 1.
Interview questions will focus on what it's been like for you to use your body in sexually pleasurable ways to now, and the steps you've taken.
Research team
Chrissy Gillmore
Student/Researcher completing PhD
A childhood sexual abuse survivor who provides counselling in this area. This research fulfils the requirements of her PhD degree.
Sarah Riley
Professor
Specialises in qualitative research in critical psychology and topics including feminism, body image, discourses, identity, and gender among others.
Kirsty Ross
Associate Professor
Specialises in qualitative research and topics including strengths-based approaches, emotional well-being, health psychology and family-based approaches.
Dr Rachael Pond
Senior Lecturer
Specialises in qualitative research and topics including strengths-based approaches, resilience and healing from trauma and abuse, and holistic development.
Frequently asked questions
Please connect with Chrissy or the research team if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Has this study passed ethics approval?
This project has been reviewed and approved by the Massey University Human Ethics Ohu Matatika 2, Application OM2 24/09. If you have any concerns about the conduct of this research, please contact the Chairperson, Massey University Human Ethics Ohu Matatika 2, email humanethics2@massey.ac.nz.
Will participants recieve any koha?
As a gratitude for your time, to extend manaakitanga and whanaungatanga, a small koha will be offered to you should you be okay with this.
How much time will I need to commit to participate?
Participants will engage in a timeline exercise consisting of 30- to 60- minutes over 2-weeks, and a 60- to 90- minute one-to-one interview with Chrissy. There are small more administrative-type tasks too (e.g., reading the information sheet, engaging in a pre-interview phonecall, reviewing your transcript and timeline photo, completing a couple forms). In all, the minimum time is between 115-195 minutes, and the maximum time is 140-255 minutes.
What if I decide I don't want to participate?
If you decide to participate, you have the right to:
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Decline taking part in the interview (even during) or any tasks relating to this study.
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Leave or withdraw from the interview or timeline exercise at any time.
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Stop participating during the interview, and you have the right for your kōrero to be removed from the transcripts and not used in the research.
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Fully delete all your data from this study, up to 3-weeks after your transcript and timeline photo is emailed to you. After 3-weeks, you may still remove your details from this study, but your transcript and timeline photo will not be able to be removed from the data analysis.