No Place To Cry: The Hurt and Healing of Sexual Abuse

by Doris Van Stone, Erwin W. Lutzer, Kay Arthur (Foreword)

Dorie considered herself ugly, unloved, and dirty as the result of childhood sexual abuse. Then she gave her life to God—and He made something beautiful of it. No Place to Cry is the story of her struggle and her victory. Dorie knows what it is like to be neglected emotionally, to be abused physically, and to search desperately but to find no place to cry. She also knows of the blessing that came when she was thirteen—a Christian student visited her orphanage and introduced her to a God who loves even the unloved. Having been shunned by her parents "like an unwanted dog," and mercilessly abused in several foster homes, Dorie clung to the unconditional love of God that so many take for granted. Just as God gave her a tender heart to forgive her abusers, He also gave her the strength to reveal her past in No Place to Cry , the sequel to the bestseller The Girl Nobody Loved . Through her candor, you will gain insight into the trauma of emotional and sexual abuse, as well as knowledge of potential steps to recovery for those afflicted by abuse.

Genres: Christian, Counselling, Nonfiction, Biography

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

Reviews

[Cat · Rating 1 out of 5]

To begin, I have to say this is a pretty wild book to give someone in today’s world.

Disclaimer: I seem to have a bias against biographies and autobiographies and this is how I personally experienced the book.

I can see how No Place to Cry might have helped people in the past as they worked through personal struggles. Maybe some readers even return to it for the comfort they once found in its pages. But reading it now, I found it unsettling.

The book carries a tone that sometimes feels homophobic (though I understand it comes from a different era), and its filled with testimonies of traumatic events. These are usually followed by the author urging the reader to simply trust her God, often with the reasoning that these painful events are part of “a bigger plan.”

That leaves me wondering, who is this book really for? Even for readers who share the same faith, it seems like it would be more helpful to explain why they should trust this God, rather than just insisting that they should.

Conclusion: Risky gift but it's safer to gift it to an older Christian woman.

[Tisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The truth hurts, but the healing comes!

The sequel to Dorie's painful life is further revealed through the sordid lives of humans that sexually abused her as a young girl.

Though it is agonizing to read what she went through, she gives the heartfelt revelation that only the One who loved her saved her through it all as she clung to His love for her.

Countless others who have suffered the same have come to see Dorie's testimony as a healing balm for their tortured minds, emotions, and bodies. She shows life is not easy, but her faith in God opened the door to a love and healing she never would have known, or received without Him.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doris does a wonderful job clinging to His truths amidst trauma. This is a really helpful read to help others in dealing with trauma and healing. It is a hard read because of the many horrific stories of abuse told.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brave retelling of trauma and healing for those who are helpers, and especially for those who need to know they are not alone. There is hope and healing found in Jesus, and this book dares to shine light into darkness.

[Dianne Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one.of the saddest stories of childhood and yet an amazing testimony of how God uses our past to help and encourage others who are dealing with similar situations. I met Dorie at a women's retreat, and was captivated by her testimony!

[Denise Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked how she used letters from people about how her first book helped them. I liked how she uses her testimony to fulfill God’s purpose

[Heaven Payne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn't finish.

[Eva Yap-Todos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad but hopeful and encouraging. There is hope in Christ for the sexually abused children.

[Christine Danielewicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This follow up book to Dorie: The Girl Nobody Loved is another valuable resource for people who have experienced abuse and those who wish to support survivors on their journey.

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book of realistic freedom in Christ when someone has been sexually abused. Her autobiography depicts realistically the emotional upheaval and the love of Christ that can provide healing and victory.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Faith that arises from utter misery that comes from physical and sexual abuse inflicted during childhood present one of the strongest testimonies of the living God.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The rest of the story of Dorie's abuse, this book is about the sexual abuse she endured, which at first she didn't think should be shared.

[Carolin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good and sometimes hard. This has to deal with how Dorie dealt with her abuse as a child and how she overcame the bitterness so she could go on to help others.

[Jana · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good. encouraging read.