Submitted by tomrue on
One of the most compelling and engaging books I have read on this subject, which I recommend both to therapists who work with former victims, as well as to clients, is Healing Sex: A Mind-Body Approach to Healing Sexual Trauma by Staci Haines (Felice Newman, Editor; Chicago: Cleis Press, 1999, 2007).
On the premise that the impact of abuse is located in pre-verbal areas of the brain, and that the pain and coping mechanisms are held within the body as a whole, the author advocates a somatic treatment orientation, which she explains as "a new interpretation of the self as well as the collective 'body'..."
"Somatics," Newman continues, "sees the 'self' or who we are, as inseparable from the body. When we reconnect the vast intelligence of the body with the mind and spirit, powerful change and healing are available."
The first portion of the book, which is more theoretic than the latter section, is what I found most engaging. The second half consists largely of a series of self-help chapters explicitly outlining hands-on activities and private exercises conducted either alone or with an intimate partner. The book is available from Amazon either in hard copy or a Kindle version.
Newman's professional website, Somatics and Trauma - Generative Somatics: Personal and Social Transformation, offers a variety of articles and other information aimed at providing multiple ways to support people in ending child sexual abuse, including a DVD entitled Healing Sex: The Complete Guide to Sexual Wholeness, described as "a revolutionary project mixing documentary style drama with education and mind/body exercises. The film follows a diverse cast of women and men healing from past sexual abuse. We witness their path to a more pleasurable and healthy sex life as they struggle to find peace, healing, and real intimacy. Staci Haines draws upon her extensive experience as a workshop leader, somatic practitioner, and author/educator to guide you towards the sex life you deserve. This movie enables you to work out the normal, post-traumatic survival reactions—fight, flight and freeze—that may affect your ongoing sexual relationships, and walks you step by step through a holistic path to healing.
Child sexual abuse is a public health crisis and a community problem requiring social change. The author and found of generationFIVE outlines the mission of the nonprofit foundation as, a "unique amongst national anti-violence organizations in recognizing that our goal of ending child sexual abuse cannot be realized while other systems of oppression are allowed to continue. In fact, systems of oppression and child sexual abuse have an interdependent relationship: a power-over system that benefits some at the expense of others and uses violence, creates the conditions for child sexual abuse (i.e. gender inequality, class exploitation, racism, violence and threat for difference), while in turn the prevalence of child sexual abuse fosters behaviors (obedience to authority, silence, disempowerment, shame) that prevent people from organizing effectively to work for liberation, healing and change systemic forms of violence."
Another volumne I endorse with equal emphasis takes more of a Jungian literary approach than the practical one described above. A metaphorical retelling of the classical Greek myth of Persephone's kidnapping and rape by Hades and the mournful rage of Demeter whose unrivaled power manifests annually the world over. Entitled Life's Daughter, Death's Bride: Inner Transformations Through the Goddess Demeter / Persephone by Kathie Carlson, like the volume mentioned above (though written from from a very different angle) is a also gripping read.
The forward notes that Carlson "examines the deep reverberations of this myth in both ancient religion and the inner lives and relationships of contemporary men and women," including discussion of:
- The Mother-Daughter archetype as feminine Self;
- Hades as shadow in men and animus in woman;
- The plight of women who "live the myth backwards";
- The Mystery path of Demeter
Reading Life's Daughter led me to seek out and read everything I could find on the Demeter/Persephone myth, as well as every title I could find by Carlson. I found it hard to put down. Others with an interest in mythology and psychology will too, I think.