Are We Truly Sexually Liberated? Hypersexuality as a Response to Trauma
Written By Nicole Munoz and Sophia Onadja
Hypersexuality is often associated with a psychological response to experiencing sexual violence (SV). Survivors may resort to hypersexuality as a way to reclaim autonomy over their bodies and regain a sense of power, the power that was once stripped from them. This can manifest itself as increased sexual behaviors or repeated engagement in harmful sexual habits. An online study examined how experiences of sexual abuse correlate with hypersexual behaviors, with a focus on potential gender differences (Slavin, 2020). It indicates that individuals with a history of sexual abuse are more likely to exhibit hypersexual behaviors. While hypersexuality is a valid coping mechanism, it is rarely discussed openly in relation to trauma, making it difficult for survivors to fully understand their experiences.
Hypersexuality, at its core, is an attempt to regain control. Kati Morton’s “Hypersexuality as a Result of Abuse” video explains that for many survivors, engaging in sexual activity provides a temporary sense of agency. However, this attempt to control is often misguided, as it may lead to behaviors that do not truly serve the survivor’s healing process. Morton explains how countering the unwarranted force and perhaps engaging in other sexual acts in the name of “liberation” allows them to satisfy a need for misplaced validation.
In the age of sexual liberation, people may conflate hypersexuality with sexual liberation. There are overlaps in the ways that people exude sexual liberation and hypersexuality. The reality, however, is that these theories are misunderstood. Society often celebrates sexual exploration, but it does not always differentiate between trauma-driven hypersexuality and authentic sexual empowerment. The key distinction between hypersexuality and sexual liberation lies in power and control. Hypersexuality is a pursuit of power, an attempt to reclaim something lost. Sexual liberation, on the other hand, is the realization of that power, which is rooted in autonomy, choice, and safety.
Sexual liberation is not about the frequency of sexual encounters but rather about having the freedom to safely engage in experiences that align with one’s desires and boundaries. It is about self-awareness, consent, and the ability to say “yes” and “no” without fear or coercion. True sexual liberation involves deep self-knowledge, understanding what feels good and what does not, and engaging in sex on one’s terms without external pressures.
In a qualitative study, researchers highlighted the complex ways in which sexual assault can affect survivors’ sexuality. It suggests that counseling and support services should address these changes and involve both survivors and their support networks to promote healing and healthy sexual relationships (O’Callaghan, 2020).
For those who recognize hypersexuality as a trauma response, pausing to reflect on their relationship with sex, their bodies, and their desires can be a transformative step toward healing. Reflection allows survivors to separate what they genuinely enjoy from what they might be using as a coping mechanism. It also helps individuals cultivate sexual experiences that are fulfilling rather than compulsive.
One way to achieve this reflection is through strategic celibacy, a period of intentional abstinence that allows individuals to explore their own needs, values, and healing outside of sexual relationships. As adrienne maree brown explores in Pleasure Activism, pausing sexual activity can help individuals reconnect with their bodies, rediscover their true desires, and cultivate a sense of safety in their sexuality. Strategic celibacy is not about repressing sexuality but about creating space to explore what brings authentic pleasure and what feels safe.
If hypersexuality is a psychological response to trauma, then the conversation must shift toward helping survivors recognize, process, and regulate their needs in a way that fosters healing. Understanding the difference between hypersexuality and sexual liberation is crucial in a culture where the two are often intertwined. It is about reclaiming power on one’s terms and defining pleasure in ways that honor personal boundaries and healing journeys.
Taking tangible steps toward self-reflection and healing while addressing hypersexuality with compassion is essential in creating more supportive spaces for survivors to pursue true sexual liberation. Liberation must begin from within.
References:
Compulsive sexual behavior - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic
Slavin, M. N., Blycker, G. R., Potenza, M. N., Bőthe, B., Demetrovics, Z., & Kraus, S. W. (2020). Gender-Related Differences in Associations Between Sexual Abuse and Hypersexuality. The journal of sexual medicine, 17(10), 2029–2038. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2020.07.008
Slavin, M. N., Scoglio, A. A. J., Blycker, G. R., Potenza, M. N., & Kraus, S. W. (2020). Child Sexual Abuse and Compulsive Sexual Behavior: A Systematic Literature Review. Current addiction reports, 7(1), 76–88. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-020-00298-9
O'Callaghan, E., Shepp, V., Ullman, S. E., & Kirkner, A. (2019). Navigating Sex and Sexuality After Sexual Assault: A Qualitative Study of Survivors and Informal Support Providers. Journal of sex research, 56(8), 1045–1057. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2018.1506731
Brown, Adrienne Maree. Pleasure Activism. AK Press, 2019.
Golovic, Ana. (2018). Women and their emotions are my inspiration. [Painting, Oil on canvas]. Serbia. https://www.saatchiart.com/art/Painting-Women-and-their-emotions-are-my-inspiration/1038702/4165741/view