I’m so sorry for what happened to you. I won’t presume to understand what you went through and how it affects you still, but I can see that it would affect your perception of sex and everything involved with it. It changes it – all of it.
Perhaps what you need now is to work on finding a way to change it again. Change it for the better and take back what was tainted for you so unfairly.
I think this might be a case of miscommunication. You’re coming from a very different place than your girlfriend, a very different view of everything. Because of what you went through, you’re highly sensitive to things that other people, who haven’t been through what you have, are not. Subtle touches, average physical contact, those things are different for you. So it’s possible that your girlfriend might think she’s being restrained, but it’s still too much for you. What she believes is holding back, is not what you see holding back as. Do you know what I mean?
I don’t know what your girlfriend is thinking or where she is with all of this. The best advice I can give you is to have a flat out, brutally honest, conversation with her, explaining that you feel she’s pressuring you and how uncomfortable it makes you. You’re not ready, and that’s more than okay. So find a way to communicate that to her. You’re not ready now, but it doesn’t mean you won’t ever be. You’re not ready for all of it, but maybe you’re ready for some of it. Find out what that is. Talk about it. Talk constantly. Always check in with each other. She’s feeling frustrated, you’re feeling pressured, so now you have to find a compromise.
I’m sure that if you explain to her that what she’s been doing has been too much for you, she’d feel terrible about it and pull back. Maybe you’ve been putting off having that direct of a conversation with her because you’re embarrassed or you don’t want to hurt her feelings or maybe it’s because you want to be able to give her what she’s asking for and you’re upset with yourself for not being able to. I don’t know. Only you know.
You have to figure this out for yourself and set the pace for yourself, then tell her what that is. Work with her. Don’t shut her out and don’t let her push you to places you’re uncomfortable with because you don’t want to be “weird” or make her feel guilty. This kind of situation requires an enormous amount of trust and a great deal of constant communication. It’s not easy, but it will get easier with time.
Don’t let this stop you from continuing to move forward with exploring your sexuality and your sexual needs, Just do it at your own pace and take it slooooooooow. You guys are so young. There’s nothing wrong with backing off and just taking baby steps. Think of it this way, you should try mastering each step before moving on to the next. Get your PhD in making out. Get your masters in petting and groping. Find out everything there is to know about each other – not just sex. You’re babies. Just keep your hands on yourselves instead of each other for a while. 😉
All in good time.