Breaking Free: Help For Survivors Of Child Sexual Abuse

by Carolyn Ainscough, Kay Toon

This classic book has helped many thousands of people to manage the impact that childhood sexual abuse has had on their lives. The positive and optimistic approach continues to empower survivors to break free from the past. This new edition by clinical psychologist Kay Toon now refers to types of abuse that have come to light more recently, such as street exploitation, and abuse by celebrities, politicians and football coaches, as well as the use of digital technology to groom children and young people. Breaking Free is regularly recommended by agony aunts and therapists. A Department of Health project provided copies of Breaking Free and the Breaking Free Workbook to NHS Mental Health Provider Trusts.‘The voice of the cowed, betrayed and helpless sexually abused child speaks powerfully throughout this book.’ British Journal of Psychiatry‘The way the book instils hope is inspiring’Journal of Social Work Practice‘This book will be enormously helpful to those who have endured sexual abuse.’Nursing Times

Genres: Psychology, Self Help, Nonfiction, Mental Health

465 pages, Kindle Edition

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.