Many survivors disassociate from physical feelings as a result of the abuse. It often seems like an insurmountable task to survivors to perceive themselves as healthy sexual adults later in life or even to cope with feelings of sexuality. Improving confidence, independence, and care of oneself is a necessary step for survivors to improve their self-esteem. Feelings of worthlessness and guilt need to be closely examined at the root and then challenged. Understanding the impact of abuse on the self-worth and how this has delayed growth through appropriate developmental stages is an important task for survivors.
Education is essential for survivors to reach genuine understanding.
In addition, guilt is often experienced by survivors because they perceive that they have participated in sexual abuse or allowed it to occur. They may feel shame because they have not disclosed the abuse, or perhaps they have enjoyed the physical sensations of the body's natural responses to it. Sharing this shame in group allows identification with others as well as emotional release. Disclosures often help dispel feelings of shame about the abuse. If not dispelled, guilt and self-blame may cause survivors to sabotage themselves or act out when progress occurs.