🏡 Rights & responsibilities · #243

My spouse seems afraid of intimacy because of a painful past experience. How can I help?

A painful past experience can leave a deep mark, and your spouse needs patience and a sense of safety, not pressure. Do not force them or show disappointment; that only adds to their fear. Build a sense of safety through gentleness, trust and non-judgemental conversation. Let them control the steps and the pace, so they do not feel pressured. Encourage them to seek help from an experienced counsellor, because wounds like this often need professional support. If the experience involved abuse and its effects are still heavy, Talian Kasih 15999 can offer confidential support; if anyone is in danger now, call the police on 999. Love that makes no demands is often the strongest healer. See counselling.

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This answer is general reference, not a fatwa. For your situation, consult the religious affairs office, a Syarie lawyer or your state Syariah Court.

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