[Lori, Exec. Director]

Some Books

The Survivor's Guide to Sex: How to Have an Empowered Sex Life After Child Sexual Abuse
By Staci Haines
(Cleis Press, 1999)
This book is a bible for survivors of sexual abuse who have determined that they have healing to do. It gives broad, detailed descriptions of the kinds of physical, emotional, and psychological problems that plague survivors, and explores how to work through these problems. It covers a range of sexual issues. Although the author tailors the book for women, it is useful for men too.

Healing The Shame That Binds You
By John Bradshaw
(Health Communications, 1988)
This book deals with the effects and causes of "toxic shame", and how we can escape the self-destructive cycle that accompanies the dark shame from our pasts. For survivors of sexual or emotional abuse, this book provides insight and solutions to break the shame spiral.

Abused Boys: The Neglected Victims of Sexual Abuse
By Mic Hunter
(Ballantine Books, 1990)
This empathetic gem covers survivor and recovery issues, and is one of most widely recognized and acclaimed books for male survivors. The first half of the book defines sexual abuse, helps the reader to understand what it is and how it affects people's lives, and then discusses the possibilities for and methods of recovery. The second half features male survivors telling their stories in their own words.

Victims No Longer: Men Recovering from Incest and Other Sexual Child Abuse
By Mike Lew
(Harper Collins, 1988)
A must-read for male survivors who want insight into their lives post-abuse. It describes all the most common problems facing abuse survivors, addresses masculinity issues and discusses recovery with an emphasis on counseling. Survivors' descriptions of their lives accompany Lew's text throughout the book.

Trauma and Recovery
By Judith Herman
(Basic Books, 1997)
A groundbreaking and much lauded book about recovering from trauma of all sorts, including abuse, rape and violence.

Incest to Where?
By Ruth Toby
Authorhouse (November 30, 2005)
INCEST TO WHERE? Is a true story of a Jewish woman who was brought up in a very strict orthodox home who, against her wish, is struggling to survive. In her agony, and confused judgment she continued to inflict hurt on herself by not knowing which path to follow in different stages of her life; she was ill-equipped with the necessary preparation for her life. All she had to learn from was her instinct. Her vulnerability stood out like a sore thumb for the unscrupulous to exploit. People, including the very famous, contributed in the dehumanization process of a fellow human being. Armed with a unique philosophy of life, born out of her experience, she hopes to confront reality and make meaning out of it. The wherewithal to achieve this is through her music. As long as the breath remains in her, she hopes for a better life.

What Ever It Takes, God: The Most Difficult Things For Men To SurviveBy John Oarc
Authorhouse (2006)
In this unique and true personal account of life after childhood traumas such as molestation, divorce, and mental abuse, the reader will be able to look inside the mind and life of the survivor. The reader will gain insight into the struggles one faces from childhood to adulthood after the trauma. This book courses through self-destruction, self-injurious behavior, self-help, and professional counseling. Experience life through the eyes of the survivor as only he can describe with true accuracy. Professionals have published regarding male molestation, but only a few survivors have written books concerning their life experiences, and these books stand alone. No one can accurately bring the content to life like the survivor, and this book undeniably stands alone in writing style and substance. Professional counselors, psychiatrists, psychologists, and psych students can gain an enormous amount of clinical insight into male molestation from this book. Pastors, parents, significant others, family members, and survivors will be able to develop a vast amount of helpful information to assist in coping and healing. Child predators should also be able to understand the devastation that lay ahead of the victim; to see the true destruction that lay in wait for the child could be a deterrent and possibly save lives. This book discusses pornography, adultery, poor coping mechanisms, addictions, anxiety, depression, codependency, divorce, low self-esteem, and more in vivid detail, with the confidence that many may find hope and healing.

The Narcissistic Family: Diagnosis and Treatment
Stephanie Donaldson-Pressman and Robert M. Pressman
1997
San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass
ISBN: 0-7879-0870-3
The authors talk about dysfunctional families--those families in which the needs of the parents take precedence over the needs of the children. Some of the characteristics of such families include problems with feelings and communication, boundaries, decision making, and trust. The authors explain how adults who have grown up in emotionally abusive families can learn deal with the after-effects and go on to become the people they were meant to be.

These Are My Private Parts
By Diane Hansen
An excellent companion book on sexual abuse prevention to help parents teach a child that their body parts are theirs and NO one has the right to touch them or use them as part of a game or fun activity. This work is written from the eyes of a child - in a child friendly, easy to understand language - a difficult feat on a difficult subject.
http://www.thosearemyprivateparts.com/

For Teens about CSA; Strong at the Heart
By Carolyn Lehman
It hurts children and teens in profound ways. But people can heal—and go on to lead rich and interesting lives. In healing, they found unexpected strengths. They've chosen to tell their stories and be photographed for my book, so that you can see how real teens and adults heal from sexual trauma.
http://www.strongattheheart.com/

Iron Man Family Outing
By Rick Beldon
This is a very amazing book of poetry written by men, each poem powerful or tragic but full of hope.
This book widely used in the United States and internationally by therapists, counselors, and men's groups as an aid in the exploration of masculine psychology and men's issues, especially for men who are adult survivors of childhood abuse.
http://www.rickbelden.com

Haunted Marriage: Overcoming the Ghosts of Your Spouse's Childhood Abuse
By by Clark E. Barshinger, Lojan E. La Rowe, Andres T. Tapia
This book is written from a husband's point of view, and is an excellent resource in helping your spouse and you, deal with past childhood abuse.
http://www.amazon.com/Haunted-Marriage-Overcoming-Spouses-Childhood/dp/0830816461

The Healing Years
Documentary by Kathy Barbini.
This powerhouse of a film profiles three strong, vibrant survivors of child sexual abuse who convincingly tell us -- once and for all -- that we must take back our lives. This documentary banishes shame & celebrates women's power.
Kathy is offering the film to surviviors at a discounted rate of $20 (plus shipping), it is on a DVD.

For ordering info:
www.bigvoicepictures.com
Order via pay pal at www.bigvoicepictures.com/survivordiscount.html
or email us at: kathy@bigvoicepictures.com
or call 805-898-3696.

**Religious Triggers**
Redeeming Memories: A Theology of Healing and Transformation
By Flora Keshgegian
Redeeming Memories seeks to develop remembering as a theme and construct for understanding the work of salvation. It begins with the conviction that if Christian faith is to be effective in responding to contemporary challenges, particularly from those who suffer the consequences of evil, abuse, and oppression, it must take such challenges seriously and develop a fully historical understanding of memory and salvation which seems to empower those who suffer. In doing so, Christianity will find not only challenge, but resources for understanding the dynamics of remembering, transformation, and salvation.
http://www.amazon.com/Redeeming-Memories-Theology-Healing-Transformation/dp/068712915X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1209230928&sr=1-1

It Had To Be Told
By David
A true story of childhood physical and sexual abuse...
This piece comes to you in pamphlet form.
For ordering info, please email Lori Schmitt, Executive Director at isurvive@charter.net

isurvive.org Book List
For anyone interested, I can send to you a list containing titles and descriptions of 16 subjects that are excellent resources.
These titles are: General Psychology/Self-Help, Inspirational, Relationships, Parents/Family, Childhood Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Ritual Abuse, Inner Child, Dissociation/Trauma, Emotional Issues, Self Esteem, Anxiety/Panic Attacks, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, Life Stories...
(I'll send the book list with descriptions via email in pdf format, just email Lori Schmitt, Exec. Director at isurvive@hushmail.com).
_________________
Lori Schmitt,
Executive Director, isurvive
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Contact information:
* Email: isurvive@hushmail.com
* Yahoo Messenger: isurvive_org
* Skype: lori.schmitt
(Download software from Skype website; will need microphone and speakers)