Crossing Over Boundaries

by Debra Jean Collins

Standout Drill Team member, tall and tan high-school senior Debra had a life to be envied. Living in a suburban house on a tree-lined street in sunny Southern California, by all observations, she was the American ideal and on her way to live-out the American dream. But every day, Debra’s horrid little secret, became harder and harder to keep buried.

Debra always thought she was a good person, but what was happening to her in her own home, wasn’t good. Somewhere inside she felt it must mean she was bad and that she was being punished, or that she would have to take the punishment to save her brothers.

In this country an estimated one out of every four women (and one out of every six men) is sexually abused as a child. Six out of ten times, the abuser is a male family member or friend of the family. Victims of sex-abuse experience higher than average rates of depression, suicide, promiscuousness, sexual disorders, low self-esteem and addiction. They have trouble saying, “no” and habitually fall into patterns of unhealthy behavior.

This memoir tells a story about a young girl victimized by her own father from the age of six. Debra shares her story honestly and unashamedly, finally able to recount fifteen years of molestation and humiliation. This is the ugly, unwashed truth of a woman who went from a sixth-grader on her way to success and happiness to a homeless, delusional crystal meth-addicted, alcoholic on a fast track to the cemetery.

The road to hell, they say, is paved with good intentions. She had to get help or die with an ugly secret.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction

227 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 5, 2013

Reviews

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brutally honest look at incest, child abuse, and what such a life can do to a survivor. While reading this book I felt sad, mad, frustrated, disgusted, hopeful, and finally surprised and appreciative of the author's candor. This is not an easy subject, and Collins doesn't sugarcoat any of it.

[Mork1966 · Rating 4 out of 5]

My cousin wrote this and self published it on Amazon.

[Kara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great Story of Addiction

Not so great story on abuse. I know with the older generations it has always been to keep the abuser in their life? I don't understand that? Why keep him, or want him, in your life? No than you.

If you are abused you do not need to feel guilt for kicking that person out of your life permanently!!!!

[Brittany Hinkle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very sad woman, what happens to her kids is heart breaking. Very surprised she didn’t put her kids first after the nightmare her own childhood

[Brenda Thornlimb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this for this helps others whose been through verbal and physical abuse. Those who were afraid to tell there story for they would be made fun of. I like all of the story.was unsure about the Christian part. very helpful in all and telling about the helping from others and working really hard to over come hardship. family staying by you when all else fails and you learns lessons the hard way. Believing other to help you.Don' t be afraid to tell someone you need help and don't push others away when they want to help you. would love more information on where to get help. never give up and pray

thank you and I hope you've wrote more. Are you still at the same job. How are your kids doing

[JSL]

Author was eventually helped out of homelessness, alcohol and drugs by entering a rehab program with the Salvation Army. It is pitiable the sexual abuse that her father committed on her. Not recommended. Cursing. Author is way off base on the spirituality chapter toward end. It is a sad thing that happened to her in childhood, and, as something like that often does, set the course for her life in so many negative ways. She did eventually get help through a rehab program with the Salvation Army. Her ideas on the Bible and God are strange.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Collins write a story that takes you through the lows of her life up to where things were better. I enjoyed reading how she turned her life around; however, when the book turns more spiritual and full of coincedences I lost interest. With pages and pages of that, it didn't hold my interest. Her story up to that point was very interesting.

[Staci Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was friends with the author in junior high & high school, and am amazed at what she went through that I did not know about. It is an open and honest book about what she experienced as a child, and the recovery she made from the bottom. It is a very inspiring book!

[Shana Stumph · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful story from start to finish!

This book drew me in, and I couldn't put it down! I related to some of the author's struggles, and overall, found the lessons she had learned throughout her life to be ones that we all, as human beings, strive to learn.

[Diane D. Kahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank You!

Very well written, simply written, and raw and authentic. Resonated deeply with me. Thank you! Will refer this book to others.