Sobrina
A woman experiences healing through connection.
Sobrina is an African American woman in her late 40's. She was sexually abused when she was a child and had never told any family or friends what really happened to her. Eventually she told her husband about her abuse, but he did not understand the torment she still experienced. This created marital problems, especially when it came to sexual intimacy.
When she realized that she had no one to turn to, she gathered up her courage and called The Counseling Center of Milwaukee, Inc. (TCCM) for help. The TCCM staff encouraged Sobrina to participate in the Female Survivors of Sexual Abuse group. She had never sought out group services in the past because she had felt alone and ashamed.
Even though Sobrina felt tentative to join the group, she was surprised by how much she was able to tell the other group members about her sexual trauma. The understanding she felt by the other women was truly amazing. She never really believed that anyone had the ability to understand her pain and she said that her group experiences helped her more than anything she had ever tried in the past.
Today, Sobrina no longer feels fearful. Her relationship with her husband has improved dramatically. They are able communicate and he understands how her sexual abuse affected many facets of her life, including their sexual relationship. Sabrina is less reserved and more able to speak up for herself. She became a much stronger woman then she ever thought she could be.