Intimacy, Partnership and Close Relationships

About this Conversation Café

90 minutes | Conversation-focused | No pre-work required

This May Conversation Café offers a gently held space to explore intimacy, partnership and close relationships after intrafamilial harm.

For many people, sibling sexual trauma and other family harms do not stay in the past. They shape how we trust, how we connect, how we navigate closeness, distance, desire and safety in adult relationships.

This conversation is not about fixing relationships or giving advice.

It is about creating space to reflect together on what intimacy has meant, what it has cost, and what support, understanding or gentleness might be needed now.

We may reflect on:

• How has intrafamilial harm shaped my experience of intimacy or partnership?
• What feels possible, tender or complicated in close relationships now?
• How do we navigate closeness while protecting ourselves?
• What support do partners need, and what do we wish they understood?

This session was shaped directly by reflections shared in our January Conversation Café, where several people named a desire to talk more openly about marriages, partners and long-term relationships, in the presence of others who understand.

This Conversation Café will be co-hosted, bringing additional care and perspective to the space. As always, participation is invitational and sharing is a choice.

Who This Conversation Is For

This Conversation Café may be of interest to:

• people with lived experience of sibling sexual trauma and other forms of intrafamilial harm
• survivors of emotional, psychological or relational abuse within families
• partners of people with lived experience who are seeking understanding (optional attendance, choice respected)
• parents, carers and loved ones navigating disclosure or its aftermath
• advocates, writers and educators exploring public voice and identity
• practitioners and allies seeking deeper understanding

You do not need to have attended previous Conversation Cafés to join.

This conversation may touch on sensitive material. Please take care of yourself before, during and after the session, and engage at the level that feels right for you.

Format and What to Expect

This is a 90-minute facilitated Conversation Café held online via Zoom.

• Participation is always invitational
• Some people come ready to speak, others to listen. Both are welcome
• The space is intentionally not crowded and allows room for every voice
• No pressure to share personal details

This 90-minute Conversation Café follows a facilitated structure that supports safety, reflection and choice, is respectful of time and shared participation, plus allows the conversation to unfold naturally.

Practical Details

Date & Time:

Wednesday 13th May 2026 starting 6:00 AM until 7:30 AM Australian Eastern Standard Time (Brisbane time) | UK: Tuesday 12th May 2026 starting 8:00 PM and USA CT starting 3:00 PM / PT starting 1:00 PM and ET starting 4:00 PM

Check out your favourite timezone converter to double check what time it is for you where you are.

Length: 90 minutes
Format: Online via Zoom
Recording: The host records for internal purposes to create an anonymised recap newsletter for participants to reflect on after the event. The recordings are not shared.

A recap newsletter will be sent to participants later in the month.

Safety, Privacy and Agreements

To protect everyone’s privacy and safety:

• No screenshots, photos, ai note taking or participant recordings
• Some attendees may use pseudonyms for legal or personal reasons
• Participant names or identifying details are never shared without consent

Attendance is intentionally limited to keep the space relational and contained.

You are not expected to speak, share or perform. Showing up is enough.

Registration Options

Standard Registration: $40 AUD = $27 USD | £20 GBP | €23 EUR
(Indicative only. Final amount depends on current exchange rates.)

Eventbrite will convert to your local currency at checkout.

Your ticket supports the sustainability of Blue Borage and the care involved in holding these spaces. Eventbrite fees are absorbed so your full ticket contributes directly to facilitation, coordination and follow-up.

Discount options:

• Lived experience community discounts are available through these newsletters: 5WAVES, Blue Borage and IncestAware. Register for those newsletters to view the promocode for each organisation.
• Newcomers may use NEWCOMER26 for a 10% discount for your first event.

About Blue Borage

Blue Borage creates trauma-aware spaces for conversation, learning and reflection. Our Conversation Cafés bring people together from around the world to explore complex topics with care, choice and respect for readiness.

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