The early relationship and same sex friendship experiences of women with a history of sexual exploitation were explored using an Interpretive Descriptive Phenomenological approach in order to identify additional risk and vulnerability for exploitation as a result of experiences of disconnection in early relationships. Embedded in Attachment Theory, a series of in-depth interviews with 3 women ranging in age from early 20s to mid 50s examined both early familial relationships and friendship experiences across their lifespans. Results indicated that early relationship experiences contributed to feelings of mistrust, isolation, powerlessness, and issues of identity that acted in concert to create vulnerability for exploitation. Practical implications emerged as the women linked their experiences to deficits in social skills and relational competencies. --P.ii.
