For people whose trauma has included abuse of a sexual nature it is common to suffer flashbacks during acts of sexual intimacy. Here are some suggested ways of dealing with these (Dolan, iggi):

1. As soon as you become aware of a flashback, open your eyes (if closed) and focus on the immediate environment around you. Notice where you are.

2. Recognize the differences between your present partner and the perpetrator, between your present environment and that recalled in your flashback.

3. Focus on an object of safety, security or comfort, for exam­ple, cuddle the pillow, imagine a pleasant image, use relaxation or any of the grounding techniques suggested above.

4. If the image persists, imagine putting it on a television screen. You have the remote control, you can darken the picture, you can turn off the sound, you can freeze the picture, or you can switch off the TV.

5. Let your partner know what has happened and allow him/ her to comfort you if he/she can.

6. Agree beforehand on reassuring things your partner can do or say if this happens.

7. Stop any form of sexual contact until the flashback is completely over.

(C.Herbert & A.Wetmore "Overcoming Traumatic Stress")

(Faure - "Pavane")