Description
Specifically, the book explains to the reader how sexual abuse has affected his life, helps him decide what to do about it, and teaches skills that can help him feel more in control of the forces in his life. The book first explains to the reader that he is not the only young person who has experienced such abuse and that there are many people who are skilled in understanding and helping youth to deal with what has happened to them. This is followed by a profile of the child sexual abuser. Advice on how to deal with the powerful and painful feelings associated with abuse includes accepting that time and work are necessary components of feeling better; this means pacing oneself, accepting that sometimes feeling worse precedes feeling better, and getting more support from caring people. One chapter focuses on why most kids do not tell others about their abuse, and another addresses the dynamics of the abusive relationship and its effects. Other chapters address the sorting out of feelings; the replacement of destructive coping mechanisms with new, constructive coping mechanisms; and steps to “getting back on track.” The nature and importance of therapy, evolving relationships with various persons and institutions now and in the future, and the keys to “staying on track” are considered in the remaining chapters.
