Review: Excellent Book!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 17, 2012
I think the author did an excellent job of summurizing up the types of abuse and I like the way she talked about brief incidents as opposed to the long term ones.  Some would think that the brief ones are so minor that one should just "get over it" and not let it affect their lives.  Yet even a brief experience can have long lasting effects.I appreciate that she defined sexual abuse, making it clear that intercourse is not the only way a person is sexually abused. Lynn also explains what is "normal sexual play" with children as opposed to abuse.  This is wonderful to include as most children do experiment a little at some point.There are many misconceptions about this subject.  Especially when talking to someone who is elderly.  I have found that the older generation likes to stick their head in the sand and not talk about it at all.  Or once the subject has come out, then it's been spoken of, therefore dealt with and we need not discuss it again.  Basically pretend it never happened.  But the victim WILL need to still talk about it. They need support!Small children are very easily manipulated and I think Lynn makes that point clear when she explains why children don't tell.  I'm sure many parents wonder why their child didn't say something.  My mother can't get over how she didn't see it, how she couldn't know something was going on.I must say - the paragraph that made me want to cheer was the one captioned "Can people ever have "false memories" of child sexual abuse?  I love the author's response to this question!  Since my memories didn't come till I was in my 50's that was a question some have asked.  My therapist was VERY careful to NOT plant any memories in me.  I wrestled with doubts at first myself, but eventually came to accept that the memories were real.  It was a very difficult journey for me.Lynn Daugherty's book is an excellent introduction to sexual abuse and gives details on how to seek more information and help.  Good job!!