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Debbie.
Debbie will give readers a harrowing inside look into the life of a childhood sexual abuse survivor. This is not just a few short chapters about abuse. This is a tragic, yet inspiring life story. The reader will be afforded information from decades past all the way through to the year 2015. Debbie could have been rescued at a very young age, but her prayers went unanswered. Her survival was far from pretty. If you find this memoir hard to read, imagine trying to live inside the details while already highly traumatized.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
This memoir may trigger survivors. It has content not suitable for all readers.This book contains graphic details of abuse and violence.
There are those who would like for Sierra (Debbie) to "pipe down" about certain truths she has written within her memoir. Though she refrained from giving identifying details about others while writing her memoir (for now.) it is clear that she will not be silenced no matter how toxic, manipulative, and abusive those that were involved continue to be. She is un-silenced.
The book has been updated (edits, cover image, and documents.)
IMPORTANT NOTES:
This memoir may trigger survivors. It has content not suitable for all readers.This book contains graphic details of abuse and violence.
There are those who would like for Sierra (Debbie) to "pipe down" about certain truths she has written within her memoir. Though she refrained from giving identifying details about others while writing her memoir (for now.) it is clear that she will not be silenced no matter how toxic, manipulative, and abusive those that were involved continue to be. She is un-silenced.
The book has been updated (edits, cover image, and documents.)
191 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 14, 2015
10 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 12, 2016
"Debbie." a brave and courageous memoir that delivers a shocking portrayal of horror of child sexual abuse and unchecked family violence leading to deep lasting damage and PTSD symptoms. Author Sierra D. Waters was required to change her name legally, and often use an alias to protect herself and her children, this is her story.
Beginning in childhood, the story is told from a childlike point of view. Debbie was the youngest in a family with 3 much older brothers and a sister. This family suffered an unspeakable amount of serious neglect and profound abuse at the hands of their pedophile father who eventually served time in prison for his shocking crimes. As the story unfolds, her large family is further fractured, each family member affected by degrees of mental illness, unable to help or assist one another in the challenges of life. While still underage, Debbie's mother would allow her father back into their lives, and the cycle of denial, the feeling Debbie was at fault for her own abuse, and total lack of any support whatsoever (for her) would continue.
The opportunities for Debbie were rare, a beautiful young lady, she was accepted at a modeling agency, but by that time she had ran away from home. Multiple relationships and unstable marriages, early motherhood, low wage work, poor decisions leading to instability of family life and homelessness greatly affected her chances for a healthy family life and future. At her lowest point, Debbie/Sierra lost permanent custody of her two children, they were put in foster care, and later adopted. Debbie spent her life running from triggers and trauma, moving to many times to count.
Spending her life dealing with the fallout related PTSD, she eventually received services and therapy. This is a long emotionally intense account, the fear and fallout from child pornography remained. "Debbie." was written to raise awareness of the victims and issues related to serious child abuse. Included are photos, legal papers, and documents. Many thanks and appreciation to the publisher for the e-ARC for the purpose of review.
Beginning in childhood, the story is told from a childlike point of view. Debbie was the youngest in a family with 3 much older brothers and a sister. This family suffered an unspeakable amount of serious neglect and profound abuse at the hands of their pedophile father who eventually served time in prison for his shocking crimes. As the story unfolds, her large family is further fractured, each family member affected by degrees of mental illness, unable to help or assist one another in the challenges of life. While still underage, Debbie's mother would allow her father back into their lives, and the cycle of denial, the feeling Debbie was at fault for her own abuse, and total lack of any support whatsoever (for her) would continue.
The opportunities for Debbie were rare, a beautiful young lady, she was accepted at a modeling agency, but by that time she had ran away from home. Multiple relationships and unstable marriages, early motherhood, low wage work, poor decisions leading to instability of family life and homelessness greatly affected her chances for a healthy family life and future. At her lowest point, Debbie/Sierra lost permanent custody of her two children, they were put in foster care, and later adopted. Debbie spent her life running from triggers and trauma, moving to many times to count.
Spending her life dealing with the fallout related PTSD, she eventually received services and therapy. This is a long emotionally intense account, the fear and fallout from child pornography remained. "Debbie." was written to raise awareness of the victims and issues related to serious child abuse. Included are photos, legal papers, and documents. Many thanks and appreciation to the publisher for the e-ARC for the purpose of review.
March 17, 2016
This book was really hard to rate as it is not a book you enjoy or read for fun. The book is both confronting and disturbing and is likely to be full of triggers for anyone with any sort of abuse in their past. I really appreciate the Sierra shared her story as it must have been incredibly difficult to do so. During the book she also does her best to maintain the privacy of those around her, thus making her history public but not sharing the hurt of others. I have an immense amount of respect for Sierra getting to where she is now. I feel like the book gave me a greater insight into the effects of child pornography, child abuse and domstic violence. It also helps to show how the cycle continues to impact multiple generations. I was horrified, not just with the people carrying out the horrific acts, but also the number of people in the community that must have known something was wrong and ignored it. I would like to hope that there is swifter recognition and help these days but am not convinced of that. I hope this book will make more people aware, likely to notice the signs and speak up as we can't expect those suffering to have the ability to do anything about it.
Thank you Sierra for speaking up and attempting to change the culture.
Thank you Sierra for speaking up and attempting to change the culture.
April 29, 2016
Courageous story written by a brave little girl who grew into an inspiring woman in spite of unbelievable obstacles. I would definitely recommend this story.
August 29, 2019
Candid, Courage, and Unfortunate.
The author is candid about the details of her life. She shares the good, the bad and the dysfunctional parts of her life and family. It takes a great deal of courage to step forward and call your family out when they fail to protect you. Unfortunately, many families turn a blind eye to the abuse that is taking place under their own roof. Not acknowledging the issues won't make them go away. The effects from this type of trauma lingers for the rest of the victims' life. I hope the author finds peace and happiness on her own terms.
The author is candid about the details of her life. She shares the good, the bad and the dysfunctional parts of her life and family. It takes a great deal of courage to step forward and call your family out when they fail to protect you. Unfortunately, many families turn a blind eye to the abuse that is taking place under their own roof. Not acknowledging the issues won't make them go away. The effects from this type of trauma lingers for the rest of the victims' life. I hope the author finds peace and happiness on her own terms.
January 13, 2021
Stunning
I am full of emotions having just set this book down. Bear witness to the horrors of generational abuse, of the many facets of child abuse. A child, abandoned by every kindness, he horrors ignored. A large family, but no one she can turn to. A lifetime of healing that isn't done yet. Astounding courage, heartbreaking sacrifices.
Wonderfully written!
I am full of emotions having just set this book down. Bear witness to the horrors of generational abuse, of the many facets of child abuse. A child, abandoned by every kindness, he horrors ignored. A large family, but no one she can turn to. A lifetime of healing that isn't done yet. Astounding courage, heartbreaking sacrifices.
Wonderfully written!
January 11, 2018
Speechless
What happened to her as a child, caused her to react the way she did. Especially when she was younger. I hope she & her daughter, continue to heal. This was so sad.
What happened to her as a child, caused her to react the way she did. Especially when she was younger. I hope she & her daughter, continue to heal. This was so sad.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews