Without Permission

by Sharon R. Wells

Sexual abuse is an undeniable and unfortunate reality of life. There are both predators and preys to this unnecessary and preventable crime upon our society. Too often, the occurrence is treated like a taboo secret or a skeleton that is tucked away in a closet somewhere while the victims feel like no one hears their cries, no one understands their pain, and no one can help or care. Without Permission puts roadblocks in front of that misconception by letting victims know that they are not alone; their voices need to be heard; and there are avenues for help in the midst of their pain. Sharon R. Wells through dramatic recollection of her own personal experience; exploration of the voices of others; and motivational and inspirational supplication,sheds illuminating light on a topic that is too often swept under a proverbial rug of denial and despair. Without Permission is a gift of hope. It's a source of deliverance for those in need of encouragement that they can move beyond being a victim to becoming victorious. This journey is a testimony illustrating that tears don't have to last always and strength and healing comes from breaking the silence of abuse. Sharon R. Wells takes the taboo issue of Sexual Abuse from a position of guilt and shame, transforming it to a position of empowerment stemming from the perception and acknowledgment of self acceptance and community awareness.

188 pages, Paperback

First published February 8, 2011

Reviews

[J.L. Whitehead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Within the last two years, more and more instances of sexual abuse perpetrated on children have risen to the surface. As allegations continue to circulate in the media as to who has done what to whom, I can’t help but wonder two things:

1. What is going on with some of the people that are deemed to be protectors of the very people that they violate?
2. How are the victims doing?

It seems that once the camera lights have gone down and the sensationalism dissipates to nothing, the victims are left alone to struggle in reclaiming who they are…and short of hearing whatever the media reports, no one really knows what the victims of abuse really go through. We don’t know how long it takes a victim to recover from something as traumatic as having their innocence stolen away like a burglar taking a valued possession in the night. We don’t know what they struggle with on a day to day basis. We don’t hear about the descent into drug addiction, promiscuity or alcoholism. All of these things are left to flutter like paper in the wind long after the media frenzy has died down.

Still, what does happen to a child when they have suffered at the hands of an adult abuser? Unfortunately, we don’t talk about that…and maybe it’s about time that we should. Without Permission by author Sharon Wells tells the story of the sexual abuse that she suffered as a child, her downward spiral into failed relationships as well as her voyage into addiction. She details her journey from victim to survivor in a no-holds barred chronicle of her experience as only she can tell it.

At times, her experience may be deemed too clinical instead of the down and dirty that some readers may be accustomed to reading when picking up a publication such as this. In some instances that may be the case, but Ms. Wells doesn’t have to go into the extreme details of what she suffered in order for her readers to grasp her point. Vivid descriptions are not necessary although what she states within the pages of her work is detailed enough.

What makes this book a good read is the message interwoven throughout its pages. She does not focus on the travesty that she endured at the hands of adult men. Instead, the focus is placed on the healing aspect of her life…what she did and continues to do to not only help herself, but to assist others along the way. She’s clear that the journey to reclaiming her dignity was long and painful, but what she provides within her work is hope; hope that what was taken cannot be reclaimed, but something better can be put in its place.

Some of the high points of this work are her reconciliation to herself and her family. Nowhere is this more evident than in chapter twelve where she goes into detail as to what steps she had to take to begin healing. Chapter thirteen tells the story of a different victim which is detailed enough to the point of making the reader cringe, but chapter fourteen speaks of the abuse as told through the eyes of a perpetrator.

Without Permission could not have been an easy write because it wasn’t an easy read, but the best thing about this work is that it gives a victim hope that they don’t have to live in the shadows of their abuse. Indeed, with God’s help, a victim can let go of the role of victim and step into the warm light of healing.

For anyone that has ever been the victim of child molestation, this is a book that you should read if for no other reason, it will provide you with additional clarity on just what steps that you should take to replace what was taken from you without permission.

[Cheryl Donovan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent book about a subject that is generally taboo in the "christian" community. Kudos to Sharon Wells for a job well done.