Relationship changes after substance sexual assault disclosure in romantic partners and family members

Sexual assault (SA) can affect survivors’ relationships with their social network members. However, little qualitative work has investigated how survivor disclosures of alcohol/drug-related assaults relate to relationship changes for romantic partners and family members. This dyadic qualitative interview study examined relationship changes in romantic partner (n = 4 pairs) and family (n = 4 pairs) survivor-informal support provider (SP) pairs. Romantic partners reported positive changes, such as disclosure being a growth opportunity in the relationship and openly addressing negative behaviour in the relationship. Partners also reported negative changes of (a) SP minimising the assault, which reduced survivor perceived safety in the relationship and (b) SP taking control of survivor decisions, which diminished the relationship. Family also reported positive changes (e.g. disclosure strengthened trust and protection) and negative changes (e.g. victim-blaming leading to distanced relationships). Our findings suggest specific positive and negative relationship changes are experienced by survivors and their informal SPs following SA disclosure.PRACTICE IMPACT STATEMENT Clinicians, advocates, and preventionists can help loved ones respond to SA disclosures with empathy, validation, and support. By reducing victim-blaming, professionals can strengthen survivors' trust and relationships and minimise secondary harm inflicted by others. This guidance can also help supporters to process their own distress and more reliably care for survivors.