SEXUAL TERRORISM : Women Trapped In Silence, Domination, Power and Control Stand Up Against Patriarchy

by Brenita Mitchell

Book Description

In "Sexual Terrorism," Dr. Mitchell boldly confronts the dark reality of the global war being waged against women and girls. With courage and compassion, she pulls back the curtain on the devastating impact of sexual terrorism and exploitation, offering a compelling narrative that exposes the layers of silence, domination, power, and control over women’s bodies.

Through meticulous research and firsthand accounts, this groundbreaking book provides a comprehensive exploration of trauma-informed healing methodologies. Drawing from the latest insights in psychology and counseling, Dr. Mitchell illuminates the nuanced ways in which trauma affects women sexually terrorized.

From well-known figures like E. Jean Carroll, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, and Aly Raisman to lesser-known sheroes such as activist Deloris Dockery, Dianna Davis, and Davinder Kaur, the book amplifies the voices of victim-survivors, offering a poignant glimpse into their strength and resilience. Their stories serve as a powerful testament to the human spirit’s capacity to overcome adversity and reclaim agency in the face of oppression.

"Sexual Terrorism" is more than just an exposé—it's a powerful manifesto and a clarion call to action.

Dr. Mitchell challenges readers to confront patriarchy, misogyny, and toxic masculinity head-on, urging us all to stand in solidarity with survivors and work toward a future free from gender-based violence. This book is a critical contribution to the ongoing conversation surrounding gender equality and justice. It offers solace and empowerment to victim-survivors, advocates, and allies alike, inspiring us to join together in the fight for a world where sexual terrorism has no place.

Join us in this critical journey towards a more humane, just, and equitable world. Together, we can create lasting change and ensure that every woman and girl has the right to live free from fear of sexual terrorism.

594 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 18, 2024

Reviews

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I sat across the desk from my knee surgeon’s scheduling clerk, she saw the book I held—Sexual Terrorism. “Wow,” she said, “you get a '10' for the book.” I hope most women would agree although, unfortunately, as bell hooks noted, “Patriarchy has no gender.” That is, some women assume their only choice is to be controlled and dominated by men even to the point of abuse and violence.

How about that title, Sexual Terrorism? It includes but encompasses more than sexual abuse. Author Brenita Mitchell cites Professor Carole Sheffield as the source of the phrase. She coined the term some forty years ago. “Sexual terrorism is the cornerstone of patriarchy,” said Sheffield, who tells the story of going to a brightly lit laundromat, where she was alone, after dark. She became terrified even though she also felt silly. With the clothes in the washer, she got in her car, windows up and doors locked. She hurriedly transferred her laundry to the dryer and hid in her car again. Without taking time to fold her dry clothes, she dumped them into her basket and rushed home.

Although I was not victimized in a direct, physical way or by objective or measurable standards, I felt victimized. It was for me a terrifying experience. I felt controlled by an invisible force. I was angry that something as commonplace as doing laundry after a day’s work jeopardized my well-being. Mostly I was angry at being unfree, a hostage of a culture that, for the most part, encourages violence against females, instructs men in the methodology of sexual violence, and provides them with ready justification for their violence. (p. 72)

Of the 531 pages in this book, Sheffield’s story gives me the best understanding of what Dr. Mitchell means by “sexual terrorism.” The book’s subtitle seems to address its message to “Women Trapped In Silence, Domination, Power and Control” and urges them to “Stand Up Against Patriarchy.” bell hooks said:

Patriarchy is a political-social system that insists that males are dominating, superior to everything and everyone deemed weak, especially females, and endowed with the right to dominate and rule over the weak and to maintain that dominance through various forms of psychological terrorism and violence. (p. 215, quoting from The Will to Change: Men and Masculinity, 2004)

Mitchell builds her case step by step, wisely letting victim-survivors tell their stories as she goes. She calls sexual terrorism a global phenomenon and illustrates this point with terribly sad cases from other nations and cultures. Examples include forced marriages and female genital mutilation.

The author traces the historical roots of patriarchy in the United States, reminding the reader of John Adams disregarding his wife Abigail’s appeal to “remember the ladies” when writing the Constitution to design the American government. She also goes back to ancient hunting and gathering societies to show how roles came to be divided between men and women, and how this developed into patriarchy.

As a theologian, she explores biblical passages in depth. She also compares and differentiates “feminist,” “womanist,” and “mujerista” theologies. Her work culminates in an imaginary conversation with Adam and Eve, reinterpreting the creation story, shaping it toward a “gender egalitarian” purpose.

In this conversation, the character Adam reviews the tools adherents of patriarchy use: exacerbating fear, anger, or nihilism; unleashing cruelty and terror on women and other marginalized groups; waging war on the press, voting rights, and a multicultural, pluralistic society; waging war on educational institutions; attacking black and brown bodies; banning books that don’t support their imperialistic ideology, white supremacy, and Christian nationalistic goals; waging war on economic justice; attacking freedom of speech; waging war on the rule of law and environmental activism. (p. 498)

Mitchell’s call to action is: “Let us dismantle oppressive structures, challenge toxic norms, and build a world where the richness of our humanity is celebrated.” (p. 514f.)

n addition to publishing this book, Dr. Mitchell set up HealingGlobalWaters, Inc., a program with free weekend retreats to help victim-survivors of sexual terrorism find joy in sisterhood. In the retreats, women discover that” forgiveness is not excusing what the person did to you, but … taking back your power and giving a gift to yourself of freedom from the event and not giving freedom to the perpetrator.” (p. 52)

There is much repetition within each chapter, apparently to give the reader multiple opportunities to process the information. I can picture a condensed edition of this book covering all of the points, and if one is produced, I would urge the publisher to provide a more careful copy editor. Even so, none of this takes anything away from the great value of this monumental publication. Let me add that I’m a bald Caucasian male heading toward the age of 80, and I found the book informative, interesting, and inspiring. I hope other men will take the time to read it, in addition to many women.

[Steve Weagant · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should be mandated reading for any athletic coach

This book provides a powerful, impactful view of the effects of sexual terrorism. There is one chapter that describes how women live with perpetual, continuous fear of being attacked or being vulnerable.

Thus, it hit home for me. I thought about the women in my life and realized that they, too, experienced this fear and vulnerability.

I recommend this book for every coach, from youth leagues to the NFL, NBA, and other professional sports, because coaches set the standard for what is acceptable. Just like it is unacceptable to loaf on a play or take cheapshots, the coaches need to lay the ground that any kind of abuse of women is unacceptable.

I grew up playing football. Coaches need to stop viewing women as distractions and set standards for the players to treat women correctly.

[Elissa Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant, much needed resource for fighting against and healing from sexual terrorism!

[Eady Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredibly important book for those of us concerned about rape culture, sexual assault and other forms of sexual abuse that come under the umbrella term “Sexual Terrorism.” Dr. Brenita has spent her life researching the prevalence and long term negative consequences of sexual terrorism. She works with people who have suffered under sexual terrorism and she is a victim-survivor herself.

This book will explain the umbrella term, share statistics from countries around the globe and illuminate the reader about many related subtopics such as patriarchy, misogyny, women’s rights and liberation, rape culture etc. Dr. Brenita shares heart wrenching and triggering stories of victim-survivors. She even gives important psychological advice toward true, deep healing.

I appreciated this book so much as victim-survivor. I found myself shocked, educated and equipped for advocacy. So I say, read it and weep!