NCJ Number
150941
Editor(s)
M Mackinnon
Date Published
1991
Length
196 pages
Annotation
This anthology contains personal narratives by women at various stages of recovery from the traumas of childhood sexual abuse and subsequent chemical dependency.
Abstract
With few exceptions, the writings are by survivors of this two-pronged trauma. The book first offers regional proof that widespread childhood sexual abuse exists and that addiction is a common factor in homes and situations when sexual abuse occurs, and in the aftermath of the abuse. Most of these stories are from women in the Canadian Province of Manitoba. Over 50 percent of women alcoholics report they were sexually abused as children. This book presents some personal stories behind this statistic. The book does not advocate any sobriety program in particular nor any particular therapeutic model for recovery from childhood sexual abuse. The writers express their outrage at what has happened to them, hoping that the public will respond to prevent and address what is happening to many children. The writers also share their love for their sister survivors, their courage, and information about the things that have helped them along the way. The book's aim is that the survivors be heard and believed, so that support for healing and prevention programs will follow. A 27-item bibliography