Healing from the Trauma of Childhood Sexual Abuse: The Journey for Women

by Karen A. Duncan

The traumatic affects of childhood sexual abuse can remain and recur throughout life for women who have not healed emotionally. This book by a family therapist shares stories from 18 women abused as children, explaining that healing can occur at any stage of life, and that healing, itself, occurs in stages. The author offers guidance to recognize the long-lingering potential affects of childhood sexual abuse including depression, anxiety, dissociation, and chronic shock, and she explains steps to take for recovery. Also presented are letters from women who have healed or are in recovery.

Sexual abuse by men, juveniles, and female perpetrators is discussed, as is how children may act out the abusive behavior taught by perpetrators. The incidence of abuse by family members is also addressed. Duncan explains the dual dilemma―moral and legal―that women face in exposing a sexual perpetrator within the family when not protected by the legal system due to statutes of limitations. She also discusses controversial topics including false memory and disclosure of memory to the perpetrator.

Genres: Mental Health, Nonfiction

264 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Chris]

This was a difficult read emotionally for me. I had to take several breaks from reading it. I think that's absolutely acceptable. I found this book to be very honest about the struggle of the journey to healing. I read this after 2 years of therapy. I was ready to "get well". I have to recommend this to anyone who has been through this kind of trauma. At the same time I have to also recommend that having a support system in place as you read it is probably best (it was for me). I did find it brought back a great deal of emotions that I honestly wanted to bury forever. This book does help with dealing with the reality of how this trauma changed who you are forever, how to cope, heal and move forward. Those old scars are there forever, but you can learn to look at those scars as old battle wounds from a war you survived.

[Amanda L. Pomorski]

Helpful aide in HEALING

The gift of this book is in understanding. It quiets the self-destructing thoughts, affirms the truths that people don't want to believe, and encourages an active role in healing while taking ones own time and care to do so. It inspires hope where there was uncertainty and darkness.

[A.C. Bauch]

Will finish reading this at a future point. Taking a break from some of this heavy reading during the holidays.

[Laura]

This book was a very educational and helpful book when attempting to heal.

[SEC]

Although crucial and beneficial, this a an emotional read. Take the time for yourself, read this book and do the work.