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In the Aftermath: Past the Pain of Childhood Sexual Abuse
Studies show that thousands of children are sexually abused in the US every year; most by someone they know and trust. Being abused by a known, trusted older person adds to a child’s devastation of the pain and terror they experience. Adult victims of CSA have tried looking for answers within themselves or other people’s thoughts and theories, but have not found the hope and help they are seeking. That is because the only true and lasting hope, joy and peace are not found within us, but in God who created us. This book will point you directly to God’s Word where you will find His comfort and peace.
- GenresCounselling
210 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 24, 2020
23 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 27, 2024
Thoroughly biblical & practical
This is a very biblically solid resource for this issue. The chapters are manageable with relevant topics, well supported with accurate Scripture, practical action steps, and top quality recommend reading. This is in the same style as a Wayne Mack type biblical counseling resource, which love. Highly recommended for those having suffered childhood sexual abuse or helping someone who has.
This is a very biblically solid resource for this issue. The chapters are manageable with relevant topics, well supported with accurate Scripture, practical action steps, and top quality recommend reading. This is in the same style as a Wayne Mack type biblical counseling resource, which love. Highly recommended for those having suffered childhood sexual abuse or helping someone who has.
December 30, 2017
My bias shows through, given that one of the two authors of this wonderful book is a friend of mine and part of our counseling team, but my one word summary of this book would be: "Excellent." It truly does make sense that "In the Aftermath: Past the Pain of Childhood Sexual Abuse," by Pamela Gannon and Beverly Moore was chosen by Biblical Counselors around the globe as the third best book for Biblical counseling in 2017.
Addressing one of the most heartbreaking issues that we see within the culture, the authors take the reader on a hope-filled, Christ-centered, Scripture saturated journey to deal with the pain of childhood sexual abuse. Gannon and Moore, writing from personal experience bring to the reader great hearts of sympathy and empathy and help the reader understand that there is, indeed, true hope in this life. The authors begin by assuring the person that they are not alone in their struggle (chapter one). They follow this up with several chapters on a biblical understanding of suffering, helping the person make sense out of the suffering that they have endured, noting that there is a purpose for the suffering, and adding assurance that there is good that can come from the suffering (chapters 2-4). The authors then venture into chapters dealing with shame, guilt, fear, anger, etc. (chapters 5-17). Interwoven throughout these sections the authors speak of one's new identity in Christ, the issue of God's forgiveness, Jesus' love for sinners, and how to confront an abuser. Things get very practical in this treasure of a book. Gannon and Moore give very wise counsel on how to deal with fear (which is likened to a prison), how to handle anger in a biblical way, and then how one can rebuild their life so that they can handle struggles with relationships in the aftermath. The last section of the book spoke to the damage caused by childhood sexual abuse, how the gift can be renewed and restored, and how to handle some of the plethora of issues that one struggles with as they grow into adulthood (chapters 18-23).
Each chapter ends with several sections that are extremely helpful. First the authors have a paragraph titled, "Where We've Been and Where We're Going," which summarizes the chapter and leads into the issue dealt with in the next chapter. Second, the authors have a small section titled, "Applying the Truth," which gives a number of bullet points stating summary applications for the content of what they've written about in the particular chapter. Third, the authors provide a list of questions for the reader to answer now that she/he has read through the chapter. These questions are provided to help the reader think through specific applications to her/his life.
I highly, highly recommend this book for both counselor and for those who have suffered sexual abuse. As noted above, it is hope-filled and is a resource center that I believe will be treasured by many in the years ahead.
Addressing one of the most heartbreaking issues that we see within the culture, the authors take the reader on a hope-filled, Christ-centered, Scripture saturated journey to deal with the pain of childhood sexual abuse. Gannon and Moore, writing from personal experience bring to the reader great hearts of sympathy and empathy and help the reader understand that there is, indeed, true hope in this life. The authors begin by assuring the person that they are not alone in their struggle (chapter one). They follow this up with several chapters on a biblical understanding of suffering, helping the person make sense out of the suffering that they have endured, noting that there is a purpose for the suffering, and adding assurance that there is good that can come from the suffering (chapters 2-4). The authors then venture into chapters dealing with shame, guilt, fear, anger, etc. (chapters 5-17). Interwoven throughout these sections the authors speak of one's new identity in Christ, the issue of God's forgiveness, Jesus' love for sinners, and how to confront an abuser. Things get very practical in this treasure of a book. Gannon and Moore give very wise counsel on how to deal with fear (which is likened to a prison), how to handle anger in a biblical way, and then how one can rebuild their life so that they can handle struggles with relationships in the aftermath. The last section of the book spoke to the damage caused by childhood sexual abuse, how the gift can be renewed and restored, and how to handle some of the plethora of issues that one struggles with as they grow into adulthood (chapters 18-23).
Each chapter ends with several sections that are extremely helpful. First the authors have a paragraph titled, "Where We've Been and Where We're Going," which summarizes the chapter and leads into the issue dealt with in the next chapter. Second, the authors have a small section titled, "Applying the Truth," which gives a number of bullet points stating summary applications for the content of what they've written about in the particular chapter. Third, the authors provide a list of questions for the reader to answer now that she/he has read through the chapter. These questions are provided to help the reader think through specific applications to her/his life.
I highly, highly recommend this book for both counselor and for those who have suffered sexual abuse. As noted above, it is hope-filled and is a resource center that I believe will be treasured by many in the years ahead.
November 14, 2023
I read this to help me understand other friend’s past struggles… though I hope you should not need to read this, or use it, it is incredibly powerful. It constantly acknowledges deep pain, and righteous anger towards, but distinguishes when righteous anger can quickly turn into sinful responses. This book is so incredibly rooted in scripture. I also bought this book used, and it is as highlighted and underlined. The power that comes from seeing a physical human experienced this was amplified through that.
“Our God is all powerful, and although He could have prevented sin from coming into the world, in His wisdom and sovereignty, He chose not to.
Eve wanted to be like God knowing good and evil, and she got what she asked for. When she got it she was not happy with it because of the immediate and long-term results of her sinful choice, and sadly we have been living with the consequences of her choice ever since.
We want God to remove the evil, or at least the consequences of evil that might impact us, but we still want the freedom to choose what we want to choose and have what we want to have! God could have created us to be robots that Simply exist to do His bidding. But instead He chose to give us free will.
Robots cannot love and therefore cannot know the happiness and joy that can be experienced with Him forever in His presence.
Having free will makes it possible for us to make good choices as well as horrible and selfish choices, and unfortunately many of us have suffered because of the heinous choices others made to violate us.”
“Our God is all powerful, and although He could have prevented sin from coming into the world, in His wisdom and sovereignty, He chose not to.
Eve wanted to be like God knowing good and evil, and she got what she asked for. When she got it she was not happy with it because of the immediate and long-term results of her sinful choice, and sadly we have been living with the consequences of her choice ever since.
We want God to remove the evil, or at least the consequences of evil that might impact us, but we still want the freedom to choose what we want to choose and have what we want to have! God could have created us to be robots that Simply exist to do His bidding. But instead He chose to give us free will.
Robots cannot love and therefore cannot know the happiness and joy that can be experienced with Him forever in His presence.
Having free will makes it possible for us to make good choices as well as horrible and selfish choices, and unfortunately many of us have suffered because of the heinous choices others made to violate us.”
September 22, 2021
The most helpful aspect of this book are the questions at the end of each chapter. These questions really help fuel counseling. CSA is such a wicked yet common sin that any pastor or counselor must read this book to help them help others biblically process through CSA. It’s devastating knowing that children all over the world are regularly being abused by men and women they are closest too. Read this book alongside your Bible to help you free yourself or others from the guilt and shame that come from being abused. Satan uses CSA to ruin life after life. But Jesus can restore even the most broke person. Look to Christ to heal your pain, to set you free from the bondage of guilt and shame.
November 21, 2020
I hesitated giving this book a 3 star rating. From a biblical counseling perspective it probably should have 4 stars because it is very thorough and detailed in scriptural references and homework assignments. From a survivor's perspective (counselee) I came away with a "just do A and B (e.g. apply scripture to renew your mind) and then you'll overcome" impression. There is not enough emphasis on the healing power of our God and Savior, who alone can restore and make whole. He is the Balm of Gilead, after all. Our complete trust is in Him, not in the (home)work we can do ourselves.
January 18, 2025
Written by two women who endured child sexual abuse, this book gently takes the reader on a path. Beginning with understanding how God’s hates this sin just as much as the victim does, to forgiveness and dealing with anger, to dealing with memories and triggers, the words have all the empathy of one sufferer speaking to another sufferer. For those who are reading to get a better understanding of how to help those who have endured abuse, there are insights in every chapter. I highly recommend this book for someone who is just beginning their journey of confronting the pain of the past.
October 1, 2020
In The Aftermath: Past The Pain of Childhood Sexual Abuse is a biblical articulation how dealing with the very sensitive topic of CSA. The authors demonstrate their knowledge (from experience) on the darkness the sin of CSA and the affects on a wounded soul. Shame, Guilt, Feeling unsafe, mistrust, and redemption is delt with in a conversational and graceful tone. The questions at the end of each chapter cause the reader to press into their pain to found relief in who God is.
May 5, 2020
I love how this book meticulously takes you through so many topics that others might not know how to address and boldly puts the gospel in context. There is hope for those who struggle with the aftermath of CSA. I found this incredibly helpful and insightful.
January 15, 2024
An incredible resource for anyone who is a victim of CSA, with wisdom applicable to others with a background of other kinds of abuse as well. A compassionate book for those who have experienced it themselves, and an excellent tool for counselors and disciplers helping women. Highly recommend.
April 3, 2023
I thought this book was okay. The questions at the end of the chapter were good and I would use them in counseling. I had a hard time staying engaged with the book.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews