Life after abuse.
I am male of 32 years and I have suffered two forms of abuse. The first is sexual abuse as a child. I have had extensive therapy but today I'm still very much struggling to close that chapter and I'm very insecure and find trust in a relationship challenging.
I have had a long term relationship of many years but that relationship was emotionally abusive and it took a lot for me to accept it was and even then I did not find the confidence, the self worth to walk away. I guess in truth I felt I must deserve no better.
My question is, though I have obvious concerns about beginning a new relationship, I don't want to be alone for my entire life. I want to find that someone whom I can feel entirely comfortable with. However, how do I approach future relationships? Do I explain my past experience and that I require more time and patience than others? Do I draw attention to it? How would you readers feel if someone bought this to your attention? Would it cause you to not want to entertain a relationship? Or would you appreciate the honesty?
@Antcarrier86
well, I would appreciate the honesty, although I'm not in your target group 
There's another dimension to it, though, and that is: that it's one thing knowing about it and understanding the causes, and quite another dealing with it's effects in practice. That requires someone who is willing to go the distance and the extra mile in order to be with you, and it means that you too will have to stop yourself from ducking out of the relationship for all kinds of imagined slights and let-downs.
It's not easy.
