|
My Latest Book And The Foreword...
In the twenty first century main stream
media, dialogue relating to abuse issues has clearly become
a more common topic. For many years prior to this break
through, victims of such situations suffered in quiet
anonymity. Most feeling ashamed and convinced they were
alone in their suffering.
Having been among those who have suffered in
silence; for the first twenty one years of my own life, I
now feel compelled to write this book. In doing so, my
desire is to encourage those who currently endure abuse to
step toward the peace and freedom which lies just beyond
their front door. Armed with nothing more than the decision
to leave and the determination to never look back, I did
just that.
On the path from survivor to conqueror of
abuse, my life has been an educational and very empowering
journey. I became a licensed cosmetologist and eventually
the owner of my own day spa. It has also been my privilege,
to volunteer for many years at a local shelter for the
abused. In fact, a portion of the profit derived from the
sale of this book, will be my gift to that shelter.
I feel powerfully enriched, having
experienced the transformation from a life so tragic and
without hope, to a life filled with peace. Regularly, I
would share these sentiments with clients at my salon and at
the shelter. I have never kept my past a dark secret if the
subject of abuse came up in conversation.
|
 |
Chapter
One
About Abuse
Chapter
Two
What Is the Cause
of Abuse?
Chapter
Three
Why Do People Stay
In Abusive Relationships?
Chapter
Four
From Abused To
Abuser
Chapter
Five
Selective Abuse
Chapter
Six
Street Angel Home
Devil
Chapter
Seven
Alcohol Abuse of a
Minor
Chapter
Eight
Abuse by Trusted
Counselor
Chapter
Nine
Sexual Deviance
Within a Marriage
Chapter
Ten
Elder Abuse
Chapter
Eleven
Physical Abuse and
Imprisonment
Chapter
Twelve
Emotional Hostage
Chapter
Thirteen
Martyrs
Chapter
Fourteen
Be a Peacemaker |
Throughout the years many people have felt
safe and comfortable enough with me to share their harrowing
experiences. All possessed a common need of someone to
listen, without fear of being judged. Like comrades who
had been through different battles of the same war, they
were comforted by the compassion and understanding of one
who could relate.
Many formerly abused people move on to
peaceful and happy lives. Aided by professional counselors,
the safety of shelters and the kindness of strangers who
offer their time, the abused become empowered.
Unfortunately, there are those tragic souls who have lacked
the strength or courage to make it out alive. This book is
dedicated to their memory and also to my Dad, the first
abused person I had ever known.
Creative liberties have been taken in the
writing of the following tales. They are based on true
experiences which have been openly shared with me over the
past thirty years. The names, occupations and some times
even genders, were changed to protect those who have shared
the gift of their experiences and their friendship.
A few stories are laced with my own personal
experiences of abuse. No one story is written exactly as it
had occurred. Each story is actually a combination of
several different accounts. If one example happens to
reflect your own experiences, it then further verifies how
tightly woven abuse is into the fabric of our society.
 |
