Background information on child sexual abuse -- The context of sexual abuse: family rules and dysfunction -- Child sexual abuse as trauma -- Common effects child sexual abuse -- Coping with the aftermath of sexual abuse trauma in childhood and adulthood -- Adult survivor issues: self-perceptions -- Adult survivor issues: learned roles and relations with others -- Supportive people, support networks, and other resources for recovery.
"In addition to displaying a number of unhealthy games and behaviors, this storybook encourages children to tell other people in their lives if they're being abused by anyone"--Page [4].
Includes bibliographical references (pages 304-337) and index.
Contents
Part I: Partners' questions. The basics -- Allies in healing -- My needs and feelings -- Dealing with crisis -- More about sexual abuse -- Intimacy and communication -- Sex -- Family issues -- Final thoughts -- Part II: Partners' stories. An introduction -- Jack's story: recovering together -- Marise's story: "she works really hard and so do I" -- Noah's story: crisis and cult abuse -- Eric's story: the support of others -- Lorraine's story: breaking up -- Richard's story: a year at a time -- Scott's story: building trust over time -- Virginia's story: forging a commitment.
Summary
A guide for partners of survivors of child sexual abuse addresses their needs as secondary victims and offers practical advice on supporting their loved ones on the path to recovery while attending to their own needs.
