ABSTRACT

This book is essential reading for any survivor of child sexual abuse, female or male. Many survivors of sexual abuse have not always been believed or supported through their developmental years. They have had to cope on their own, dealing with the aftermath of the abuse in whatever ways they could. This book offers ideas and techniques for understanding and healing which adult survivors in particular may find useful. It tends to be written with women in mind, but much of the information and many of the exercises may be useful for male survivors as well.

This book will also be useful for the partners, families and friends giving support and encouragement to survivors who are healing themselves from the effects of abuse. Many survivors want those around them to understand what they've survived and its effects on their life.

Part 1 provides information about child sexual abuse - what it is, why children remain silent about it, some of the effects abuse can have on a survivor's life and how these can be minimised, and who the offenders are. Part 2 is for survivors, helping them to understand and to cope with their unique experience of child sexual abuse. Part 3 is specifically for supporters and caregivers of survivors.

chapter |20 pages

Introduction

chapter 1|17 pages

About child sexual abuse

chapter 2|23 pages

The child

chapter 3|49 pages

The consequences

chapter 4|41 pages

The offender

chapter 5|31 pages

Preparations for your healing journey

chapter 6|38 pages

Dealing with the abuse

chapter 7|23 pages

Recognising ways you have coped

chapter 8|15 pages

Making changes

chapter 9|31 pages

Dealing with feelings and emotions

chapter 10|22 pages

Safe ways of expressing anger

chapter 11|9 pages

Getting rid of self-blame

chapter 12|13 pages

Physical effects and healing

chapter 13|19 pages

Sexual abuse and sex

chapter 14|12 pages

When abuse is within the family

chapter 15|7 pages

Confronting the offender

chapter 16|12 pages

Counselling

chapter 17|5 pages

Getting past the abuse and moving on

chapter 18|9 pages

Moving further on in our healing

chapter 19|16 pages

For caregivers of survivors

chapter 20|9 pages

Living with a survivor