9 Books By Sexual Assault Survivors That Empower You To Heal From Trauma

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1. You might want this for your book list: Goodreads and Midwest Book Review both gave it an excellent rating.

   I have recently published a book on incest which is memoir and self-help for survivors and those who care about them. I describe what I did for myself, as survivor, psychotherapist and energy healer to make my life wonderful by looking inside and clearing out the pain. I tell how others can do that too. “Inside Incest, Psychotherapy and Energy Healing Transform this Therapist and a Guide for Survivors,” is the title.
   Madeline A. Garner is my pen name. Linda Blaser is my real name.
   Thank you for consideration.

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2. Another great book I would also recommend reading is ‘I Want to Go Home – Reclaiming Power After Sexual Assault’ by Renee Marie Simpson. It’s a true story of a young woman whose trust and self-worth was taken from her one night by her best friends boyfriend, through an unforgivable and traumatic act of sexual abuse. She chooses to sail back home to Australia from Europe with no sailing experience. The vividness with which this book is written makes you feel you are on the journey with the author as she battles and overcomes each obstacle experienced, both on the boat and in her mind. It is not smooth sailing but incredibly relatable! During the long trip ‘home’ she must face many more challenges and near-death experiences; such as a neglectful captain, a cyclone in the middle of the ocean and almost starving. Through all this anguish, it leaves her no choice but to face the truth of what happened to her – she was raped. But unlike other books about recovering from sexual assault, the author delicately interweaves her experience in a way that focuses on the journey to becoming empowered instead of the trauma which leaves one feeling motivated not overwhelmed or triggered. This book is written with so much clarity, honesty and self-reflection. A gentle first step for anyone starting to come to grips with the damage that past traumas exact upon the self, who want to begin the process of understanding and healing, to begin to look at collecting oneself and feeling whole again. It’s also adventurous, exciting, uplifting and very difficult to put down. An important read to witness how someone else can turn their trauma and fear into power. Her story is honest, raw, and unfortunately very much needed that can help anyone open the door to resilience, adventure, introspection, empowerment, healing and excitement! I couldn’t put this book down.

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3. I am a male survivor of both rape and of sexual molestation by two female executives during job interviews in my 20’s. I am still healing and haven’t had a sexual encounter in 34-years. I have never married, and I feel uncomfortable being touched by anyone. I am 60-years old and from an upper-class White family. The women who assaulted me were two White woman; the rapist was a Latina who I thought respected me.

   In my effort to speak through the turmoil brought about by the #MeToo Movement, I shared my experiences with officer colleagues at the Minnesota Democratic Farmer Labor Party (DFL) in 2019. For this, I was accused of sexual harassment and was banned from Party activities after 40-years of service and ten years as an officer of the Party. I do not hold all members or executives of the Party as responsible only a few people were involved in the edict to have me banned. I recently learned that there were executives in the Party who encouraged me to write a complaint form about about the abuse I received for telling my story. I don’t know if I will be believed or receive grace from those on the Conduct Code Committee. I was first molested at age 8-years, then harassed and invited to have sex with both a baby sitter and as also alluded to by a woman sixteen years older than me when I was 15-years old.

   Men are also raped and molested, and the perpetrators are often enough women. This is an important reality to understand and accept. Believing that only women are victims of rape is not a reflection of reality or a sound understanding of the problems in our community, whether brought about my men or women. To heal, we must understand both the beauty and the devilishness of of others in our global community; we must approach life with an open mind and a willingness to hear and know things which might be upsetting to hear. We must be strong.

   My name is Barry Neil Peterson. I am from Minneapolis, Minnesota and have been an unpaid and per diem paid community activist and leader. People generally know me as “Barry,” as I prefer one-on-one relationships and to treat others with respect and humanity. Orphans in Uganda and Kenya know me as “Uncle Barry,” and recently sung the Happy Birthday song to me last Sunday in March 2022. Other former orphans, who I have taken in as precious family members from Ghana and Uganda, call my Dad and Grandpa. Given the abuse I experienced, having a family seemed out of the question. Women who I have known told me that they would not consider me relationship material because I cannot feel comfortable with physical affection.

   My reason for coming to this page today was to research manuals to assist others through their recuperation. I have known friends and acquaintances from all around the planet, and one of my acquaintances was the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa. The friend of a dear friend of mine was 2001 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Kofi Annan of Ghana and Switzerland. Kofi was the UN Secretary General from 1997-2006; he was a graduate of my alma mater, Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minnesota, where a building and program is named after him. He attended MIT and worked as a World Health Organization (WHO) member for many years in the UN before being elected by the United Nations General Assembly to serve at the helm of that body of citizens from all nations. An acquaintance of mine, Arvonne Fraser (deceased) was UN Ambassador for Women’s Rights (1993-1994).

   I care to serve, heal and enjoy life. I adapt; I encourage; I serve.

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