Childhood sexual abuse can have lasting effects that extend into pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. This webinar explores how trauma may influence emotional well-being, feelings of safety, trust, body autonomy, and interactions with health care providers throughout the perinatal journey. Participants will gain a greater understanding of the unique challenges survivors may experience and learn practical, trauma-informed approaches that promote safety, choice, collaboration, and compassionate care. The session aims to strengthen providers' ability to recognize the impact of trauma and create supportive, survivor-centred experiences that foster trust and improve health outcomes for parents and their families.
Objectives:
The learning objectives for this webinar:
1. Increase understanding of how childhood sexual abuse can affect pregnancy, labour, birth, and the postpartum experience.
2. Explore how trauma can influence a survivor's emotional responses, interactions with healthcare providers, and engagement with maternity care.
3. Identify practical, trauma-informed approaches that help create safe, respectful, and empowering experiences for survivors throughout pregnancy and postpartum care.
Speaker Bio: Katherine Sharp is the Executive Director of Survivors of Abuse Recovering (SOAR), a Nova Scotia organization that provides peer support to adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. She is dedicated to advancing trauma-informed, compassionate, and survivor-centred supports that foster safety, connection, and healing. Katherine is passionate about strengthening communities through education, advocacy, and collaboration, with a focus on improving access to services for individuals facing barriers. Before joining SOAR, she managed the Bridgewater Library, where she developed accessible community programming, and worked with the South Shore Work Activity Program supporting individuals experiencing barriers to employment. She also serves on Chester Community Wheels and the YMCA Integrated Youth Services Caregiver Council and coaches youth sports. Katherine brings both professional experience and a deep commitment to creating systems that are more responsive to the needs of survivors.
