Question: I'm not sure if many people could...

Depends if you were friends first you should tell them, if you don't know them wait a while. It's intimate information but everyone close to me knows my sister did the exact same thing. The reaction of my current boyfriend (then ex boyfriend - friend) was rage not at me but her.

When It's the right guy you'll know, you won't have to wonder whether or not you should tell, or be afraid of how he might react. If he reacts poorly that is his problem and his loss. If anything men should respect women who have been abused in any way, we've been through a lot.

When It's the right guy you'll know, you won't have to wonder whether or not you should tell, or be afraid of how he might react. If he reacts poorly that is his problem and his loss. If anything men should respect women who have been abused in any way, we've been through a lot.

Thanks everyone - your answers have helped tremendously!!

I agree. I had an abusive childhood, and tried to take my own life, it takes a while to get comfortable with the idea of telling people, and the first step is owning it. I happened, and it happened to you, its part of your history, nothing can change it. What you can change, it how it affects you, and the way you cope with the rest of your life. Once you have accepted what happened, you will know how close a person has to be before you want to tell them, and I know its hard, because everyone reacts to things differently. Sometimes, if i'm unsure of how someone will react, I will try to work it into conversation, say something casual like, "hey, did you see in the news that..." and then when you are talking about the subject, you can get a hint of how they might react. if you don't want to do that, then let them know you have to tell them something, and assure them at you are alright, because while it sounds bad, some people (men esspecially) don't like thinking that they might have to "fix" someone, or feel as if they are dating someone who needs way more than the normal amount of emotional support (eg. always crying, or physically can not go to certain places ect).
Most importantly, be honest. I don't mean about every gory detail, i mean about how you feel about it now, and how if affected you. Don't say that your completely fine if you aren't.

I really hope that you are okay. And remember to never tell anyone anything that you don't want to. Just because its part of your life, doesn't mean that you have to tell everyone you meet, even though sometimes you may feel like you do.
I hope this helps, even a little :-)

You should tell guys. I don't see why it'd be a problem too. Don't go on and on about it, but if you've been on a few dates and trust him, then tell him. And definitely mention it before sex! It's part of who you are, but NEVER let abuse take over your life. Be strong, but it's okay to share. It isn't your fault and a man who loves you will understand!

You said it yourself, sooner or later he will find out and better if it's not "later".
On the first place, if we love a person we really want to understand him/her, and if in order to do so he has to know this, believe me, he will like to know it. If otherwise he acts negative about it, or seems to dislike it, he is no man for you.
You must feel comfortable in a relationship and if in order to do so, you need to talk abou your past, then do it, it's no crime or anything to be honest and not want to keep secrets from a guy you love or want to be with.
However I know what it feels to have a childhood trauma that still bothers you, but we must learn to put those things behind or at least try not to let it affect your present relationship.