Youth and Porn Resource Kit
3. Responding

3.3 Practical Case Studies

Case Study 6.

Faduma: ‘Triggering porn experience’
Faduma (15 yrs) was shown porn for the first time at a friend’s house and experienced a panic attack. She has a previous history of sexual assault in a refugee camp and since the porn exposure, hasn’t been able to get the porn images out of her mind.

1: Validate and normalise

Validate and normalise Faduma’s response, as young people with a history of sexual assault can feel disturbed, upset, and triggered by seeing sexual violence in porn.

2: Assess

 Assess harm through asking further questions:
  • How are you feeling about what you have seen, and would you like to share anything about it?
  • How regularly do you experience triggers or the feelings you’ve had?
  • Have you spoken with anyone about your assault?
  • How can we offer you any support you need?

Explore if Faduma is experiencing any other symptoms, such as nightmares, change in appetite, social withdrawal, generalised anxiety, and/or mood changes that may indicate she needs further support.

3: Build critical thinking and porn literacy

Using open questions, allow Faduma to explore her feelings and concerns about the porn exposure, and answer any questions she may have surrounding the experience.

Faduma may be experiencing ‘intrusive thoughts’, a common trauma response, and may need help with strategies for managing these, such as mindfulness practices, body scanning, psychoeducation about trauma and intrusive thoughts, and shame-reduction techniques for assault and porn exposure.

4: Support and refer

Refer Faduma to a counsellor or refugee counselling services if needed. In the case of continued panic attacks, generalised anxiety, or declining mental health, referral to specialised clinical services may be necessary.

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