Beating the Odds: Male Survivors Talk about Recovery from Childhood Sexual Abuse

by Larry Conrad (Editor), G. Donald Cribbs (Contributor)

Back Cover: Reliable research estimates that at least one in six boys experiences sexual abuse before the age of 18, which means that there are in excess of 25 million male survivors of all ages and backgrounds in the United States alone. If almost any other issue were to occur at such a scale there would be continual national outrage until effective steps were taken to address it. But most men and boys, misunderstanding what has been done to them, remain silent, and despite the recurring scandals our communal institutions—family school, social, and spiritual and government bodies—lack the will or skills needed to take effective action.

This anthology of 25 essays invites male survivors, their allies, and service institutions to join the boys and men who are "beating the odds" and becoming involved in the recovery process. The contributors join here to tell their stories of recovery from sexual abuse from a wide variety of perspectives. The men come from different geographical, ethnic, spiritual, and social backgrounds and range in age from 13 to 87.

Their abuse experiences are diverse, and so are the various means they have found to make progress in healing. Each survivor speaks frankly of his own experience and presents the challenges he personally has faced and the strategies and ideas that are working for him. The topics discussed range from depression, irrational fears, and dissociation, to isolation, sexual confusion, and substance abuse, and the recovery strategies cover such areas as disclosure, writing, group work, therapy, and public activism and advocacy.

Beating the Odds, the first work to address recovery of male survivors in this way, will be a major resource for male survivors and their allies, researchers, and professionals working in public service. The overarching theme is that recovery is indeed possible, that you too can achieve it. No matter where you are in your recovery process, Beating the Odds offers ideas, encouragement, and inspiration.

354 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2023

Reviews

[Roxanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book confronts a painful reality: childhood sexual abuse affects at least one in six boys, yet male survivors often remain unheard, misunderstood, and unsupported. Coming from diverse cultural, spiritual, and social backgrounds, each contributor speaks honestly about the challenges they have faced depression, fear, dissociation, isolation, substance abuse, and sexual confusion and the paths they have found toward recovery. More than a collection of survivor narratives, Beating the Odds is a vital resource for survivors, allies, researchers, and professionals alike. It challenges societal silence and institutional inaction while offering something profoundly hopeful.

[G. Cribbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honored to contribute chapter 13/25 chapters of male survivors ranging from age 13 to 87. My story is detailed in THE PACKING HOUSE, and forthcoming in UNPACKING THE PAST. I am also a contributing author to THINGS WE HAVEN'T SAID, which received 2 starred reviews. We need more books like this as survivors, since a particular dynamic faced has to do with isolation away from help and support. This keeps us trapped in our trauma with no way out.

So honored that Larry would include me in this work. I'm eager to read what my fellow survivors faced. We heal best together, in community.