Sexual Abuse

Speak Truth to Power, a project of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, created this PSA featuring Erin Merryn and Julianna Margulies discussing the importance of Erin’s Law, urging states that have not passed the law to do so. The PSA was created to accompany a Speak Truth to Power (STTP) lesson about Erin’s story, sexual abuse awareness and the power of resilience. This lesson will be added to the existing STTP curriculum, taught to millions of students all over the world, which uses the powerful stories of human rights defenders to help students self-identify as human right defenders and create change in their classrooms and beyond. The lesson will be available August 31st.

Visit: http://rfkhumanrights.org/what-we-do/…

The Survivor’s Guide to Sex

The Survivor’s Guide to Sex: How to Have an Empowered Sex Life After Child Sexual Abuse, by Staci Haines (1999)

From Amazon.com: “Move over abuse, and move in pleasure! The Survivor’s Guide to Sex is for all women—heterosexual, bisexual, lesbian, partnered, and single—who want to delight in their own sexuality. Based on the author’s extensive training and experience in working with abuse survivors, The Survivor’s Guide to Sex offers a complete guide to sexual recovery:

* Pleasure and Desire—How to discover and fully own your desires on your own terms.
* Nonjudgmental support for all sexual styles and interests!
* Dissociation—Discover how you “checked out” to survive and how you can “check in” now for healing and your own sexual expression.
* Embodied Sex—No more grocery lists and wrestling matches with relics of the past! Learn how to be in your body during sex, present for yourself and your partners.
* Consent and Boundaries—The “yes,” “no,” and “maybe” of sex. How to say “yes” to your desires and develop boundaries to take care of yourself.
* Triggers—A sex life built around triggers becomes no sex life at all. Practical tools for healing through triggers while enjoying all the delights and complexities of a fully-embodied sex life.
* Sex Information—Chock full of sex-positive information on all aspects of sexual response, masturbation, and partner sex, tailored to the needs of survivors.
* Emotional Healing and Intimacy—Don’t settle for less than you want! Grant yourself permission to cultivate pleasure, sexual delight, and love.
* Plus Sex Guide Exercises, bibliography, resources, and index.”

Silent Rage: African American Boys and Sexual Abuse

Silent Rage: African American Boys and Sexual Abuse, by Dr. Gabrie’l J. Atchison, Jae Quinlan (Illustrator) (2010).

Silent Rage is an unprecedented exploration of Black boys and sexual abuse. Because being vulnerable is antithetical to cultural definitions of Black manhood, many boys choose to suffer in silence. The silence leads to self-destructive behaviors impacting families and communities. Based on a review of literature provided by therapists and Black male survivors, Silent Rage provides information, resources and hope for male survivors. In addition to survivors, partners and wives of survivors, parents and foster parents, social workers and students within Nursing, Social Work and African American Studies will find this book informative. Cover art “AKOBEN/PROTECT ME” by Jae Quinlan.

When a Man You Love Was Abused

When a Man You Love Was Abused: A Woman’s Guide to Helping Him Overcome Childhood Sexual Molestation, by Cecil Murphey (2010). Kregel Publications

The numbers of males abused in childhood are sometimes listed as low as 5 percent or as high as 33 percent. Though statistics are controversial, no one disputes the fact that childhood abuse is a continuing problem―or that such abuse can have devastating effects on future relationships. For all women who know and love a survivor of sexual assault, best-selling author Cecil Murphey has penned an honest and forthright book about surviving―and thriving―despite past abuses.

Both informative and highly practical, Murphey helps women understand the continuing problems that abuse survivors may encounter, including hurtful memories, issues of self worth, and the need to feel in control. With sensitivity and encouragement, Murphey then explains what women can do to help bring about healing and forgiveness. Written with the empathy that only a true survivor can convey, When a Man You Love Was Abused is a timely piece of advice and encouragement.

Find out more at www.menshatteringthesilence.blogspot.com

Psychiatry Ignores Trauma

Psychiatry Ignores Trauma Says Dr. Bessel van der Kolk

February 7, 2015 by Monica Cassani at beyondmeds.com

Psychiatry ignores trauma says Dr. Bessel van der Kolk (The Body Keeps the Score)