John Saunders tells, with an open heart, the story of a man confronting and coming to terms with the sexual and physical abuse he endured as a boy at school and at home. The book is an interwoven, moving and insightful memoir, a healing guide for abuse survivors, and a practical handbook for those wishing to confront the perpetrators of their own abuse through the justice system and seek compensation.
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Sexual Abuse Survivor’s Handbook tells with an open heart the story of a tragic upbringing involving sexual and physical abuse at school and at home. The book is an interwoven moving and insightful memoir, a healing help-guide for abuse survivors and a practical handbook for those wishing to confront their perpetrators through the justice system and seek compensation. John Saunders is a writer who brings his truth to the table wholeheartedly, who has travelled the road of abuse, confronted the Catholic Church for over 15 years and sought legal justice, healed deep wounds and here courageously given them a voice. Sexual Abuse Survivor’s Handbook will lead the reader to a greater understanding of child abuse in our society, including the present and chronic Church and civil silencing of such abuse. John Saunders’ brutally honest account encourages other survivors and witnesses of abuse to bravely speak out. Shame silences those who have been abused. Now someone is speaking up about it. Within this account stirs hope that healing and peace can be found despite the chaos. Read Sexual Abuse Survivor’s Handbook and share John’s journey; break the silence, heal the shame, spark a dialogue with your soul |
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IP (Interactive Publications Pty Ltd) –
“John’s story is a mixture of tragedy, resilience, humour, and rage. He has taken the personal development path of the present, the new-age and therapy conscious ethos of the late twentieth century, to combat the Dickensian darkness of his childhood.
John’s exploration of his own growth, his gradual understanding of his family life, his opening to his inner world as he gradually dreams, thinks and feels his way into his own unconscious, his efforts to give useful information and guidance to others on the same path, together with the warnings and resources for tackling a legalistic and defensive church bureaucracy, all make this a valuable book. This kind of childhood is part of our history as a nation, part of our struggle as men and women to be whole and it needs to be faced up to. John’s story can inform and inspire, like any difficult journey that eventually brings us to a wider, more complete, view of the landscape of our life.
John shows real heroism in his determination to give and receive love in a world which more often deals in shame and exploitation.”
– Steve Biddulph, Australian author of Raising Boys and The New Manhood
IP (Interactive Publications Pty Ltd) –
“John’s story is the deepest betrayal of the immense trust vested in the Catholic Church and its representatives. Evil sexual predation on a ten year old boy has been manifestly compounded by a negation of the crime committed in reports designed to defend an institution of almost unimaginable power.”
– Ian Cohen, former Greens MP, NSW Legislative Council (1995 to 2011)
IP (Interactive Publications Pty Ltd) –
“Trauma & abuse impacts the development of the brain. The brain is physically changed causing mental illness (including depression), poor emotional regulation and a difficulty in finding joy in life. If we suffered from cancer, help would be readily available and we would seek it out. Trauma also causes life-threatening changes. If it has happened to you or anyone you know, reach out and heal. As John says, it is well worth it.”
– Liz Mullinar, CEO & founder, Heal For Life Foundation
IP (Interactive Publications Pty Ltd) –
“John Saunders has written a deeply personal, idiosyncratic memoir. It is neither light nor easy reading. As he shares the process of one young man in early recovery from the effects of sexual child abuse, he opens his wounds for all to see.”
– Mike Lew, American author of Victims No Longer