Breaking Free: Help for survivors of child sexual abuse

by Carolyn Ainscough

The effects of child sexual abuse haunt the survivors into adult life, in guilt and shame, depression and anxiety, eating disorders, fear of relationships and sexual problems. Carolyn Ainscough and Kay Toon draw on their experience and the accounts of survivors to offer a book packed with practical suggestions for overcoming the effects of abuse. The Workbook can be used alongside Breaking Free or on its own, and lays a greater emphasis on practical exercises to work through the problems. Both will be enormously useful to survivors of abuse and those who care for them.

Genres: Psychology, Self Help, Nonfiction, Mental Health

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Niamh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up in my local library not expecting to be so impressed by it. In my professional life, I treat a number of adult survivors of child sexual abuse and this book has given me a really solid understanding of the complexity of the psychological processes and their long lasting effects into adulthood in the individuals affected. The repercussions of child sexual abuse are widespread and far-reaching individually and collectively and this deserves wider recognition in many professional fields, so I am delighted to have happened upon this book which so eloquently and simply delineates the issues involved.

On a person level, my mother's family of origin was severely affected by child sexual abuse and this book helped me to put this issue into its proper perspective and see more clearly just how deeply the damage has penetrated in terms of persistent systemic entanglements, mental illness and dysfunctional relating styles that persist to this day, some 40 -50 years after the abuse actually occurred.

The book is aimed at the survivors themselves and has many stories in their own words of how the abuse has affected their lives and their relationships, and how they came to rebuild their lives after such devastating abuses. As such it is not an easy read and is quite harrowing at times, but ultimately extremely positive and affirming.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a truly great book. A life-saver. I wholeheartedly recommend it.

[Bookish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Includes sections written by survivors of abuse which are easy to relate to and understand, also covers some theory/research into why it happens. A short book.