Books

The Courage to Heal: A Guide for Women Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse  
Ellen Bass, Laura Davis

This is a good book, known as the survivors "bible". It has information on all aspects of healing, it contains lots of stories. It is quite an intense and triggering book, so I wouldn't recommend reading it unless you are in a safe place and/or working with a therapist.

Breaking Free: Help for Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse  
Carolyn Ainscough, Kay Toon

Another book, similar to Courage to Heal, but written from a British perspective and a lot shorter. It has some helpful hints and for me, was less triggering.


My Fathers House  
Sylvia Fraser

A good autobiography by a victim of incest by her father. Sylvia creates a "night-time" personality to deal with her father's sexual demands, leaving her day-time self unaware of the abuse. This book is graphic and upsetting in places, but still an inspirational story.


Trauma and Recovery: From Domestic Abuse to Political Terror  
Judith Lewis Herman

A very important book given to me by my therapist. Herman looks at trauma in cases of abuse survivors, veterans etc. She suggests that complex PTSD often develops in those who have been subject to repeated trauma. The book uses some technical language and is a little hard to digest, but has some interesting points and is highly recommended.


Allies in Healing: When the Person You Love Was Sexually Abused as a Child  
Laura Davies

From the co-author of Courage To Heal, this is a book for loved ones of survivors. I bought this book for my partner last year and she has found it very helpful in understanding the processes I go through. It also reminds the loved one to take care of themselves while supporting.


The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living  
Howard Cutler, HH Dalai Lama

A truly inspirational book, that, in my opinion, everyone should read. Cutler is a psychiatrist who discusses many topics, such as depression, anger, forgiveness and self-abuse with HH Dalai Lama. This is a book that changed my whole perpspective of my healing journey.


The Drama of Being a Child : The Search for the True Self  
Alice Miller

A good book looking at the connections between childhood trauma and the adults we become. Miller suggests ways that the past may be recovered and healed.


My Story: "A Child Called It", "The Lost Boy", "A Man Named Dave"  
Dave Pelzer

This man is a true survivor, in his autobiography trilogy he talks of the horrific physical abuse he suffered at the hands of his mother, his journey into the safety of foster care and later how he grew into a strong successful adult, who was able to forgive his mother for the abuse. His story is graphic and triggering, but it is an important read which wont fail to move you.


Sleepers  
Lorenzo Carcaterra

This is one of my favourite books. Lorenzo and his friends play a prank which results in the serious injury of a man.
They are sent to a juvenile detention center where they suffer systematic physical abuse and rape by the guards.
Years later, two of Lorenzo's friends come across their main abuser in a bar and shoot him dead. One of the gang is a lawyer and attempts to get his friends off the murder charge.
This book doesn't have tips on healing or a particularly happy ending, but I like it for the pay-back. Very triggering book.


Cry Hard and Swim: The Story of an Incest Survivor  
Jacqueline Spring

A good book, with the story and theraputic process of a scottish survivor, this book is less graphic and triggering than others.




                  


                     
                Copyright © Survivors Community 2004-2006