Issues Inherent in the Multicultural Feminist Couple Treatment of African-American, Same-Gender Loving Female Adult Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse

ABSTRACT

This manuscript focuses on four potential stumbling blocks in the multicultural feminist couple treatment of African-American, same-gender loving female adult child sexual abuse survivors: (1) gender roles; (2) “coming out to self”, family, and the community; (3) lesbian couple relationships; and (4) the expression of lesbian sexuality. These four potential barriers to therapeutic outcome within the context of multicultural feminist couple treatment needs to be systematically addressed during the provision of culturally-informed clinical services to African-American, same-gender loving female adult child sexual abuse survivors. The nature and impact of feminism on the family, as an institution, served as the framework for this discussion.

KEYWORDS:

• Multicultural feminist couple therapy
• child sexual abuse
• sexual orientation