Recently I was offered an opportunity through Parent Reviewers to read a book by Amy Barth called Annabelle's Secret. This is a book I wish was around to read when I was a child. As a child of sexual abuse there were no books that confirmed what I needed to know; that the abuse was not my fault!!The book narrated by 14 year old Annabelle discusses the abuse she suffered when she was 7 years old, the age I was when my abuse started. When a neighborhood boy Joel approaches Annabelle about a secret club, she is very interested until she realizes that this club makes her feel bad about herself and the things she is expected to do. When she turns 11 those bad feelings resurface. Annabelle finds the courage to finally tell her mother who supports her and tells her that the abuse was not her fault.
Amy Barth, takes a very sensitive subject, and in the voice of a child, lets children reclaim their power.
This book should be in every therapists office and given to all children of abuse. Also, a great way for parents to be able to discuss with their children, the dangers of predators and let them know in a very safe, sensitive way about inappropriateness. Someone asking them to take off their clothes or touching them is wrong. They should know to say "no!"
Highly recommended!
Thank you so much for this post. I wish this was out when I was a child. I held this secret in for over 28 years. I lived my life in shame and guilt until a few years ago I found out that it was not my fault and that I was a victim. I am still working on this issue today and learning to love myself. We need to let our victims know that there is help out there and that this behavior is unacceptable and is also committing a crime!
ReplyDeleteMaria and Diane... Thank you both for being so brave about your past. My oldest sister has confirmed abuse by our father, and I have repressed memories, that I still don't know if I WANT to know about. I was assaulted 8 years ago by my former employer, and had a REALLY bad reaction which brought some memories to light. I, too, wish this book were available in every pediatrician's, school nurse's, therapist's office everywhere.
ReplyDeleteMaria, I truly see the love you have instilled in your children through your photos and know that what happened to you did NOT damage your heart beyond repair.
God bless you both.
Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Gretchen Paules and I am the Administrative Director for a newly formed nonprofit called the Let Go...Let Peace Come In Foundation. Our mission at LGLPCI is to help heal and support adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse worldwide. We are actively seeking adult survivors who would be willing to post their childhood photo & caption, their story, or their creative expressions to our website www.letgoletpeacecomein.org. By uniting survivors from around the globe we hope to provide a stronger and more powerful voice to those survivors who have not yet found the courage to speak out or have been cast aside with disbelief. I recently came across your blog through "Google Alerts" notices and I was wondering if you would please consider posting to our website. If you have any questions please feel free to e-mail me directly at this e-mail address. Together we can; together we should; together we NEED to stand up and be counted. Please share this with anyone you think might benefit from a safe and judgment-free place to share their experiences.
ReplyDeleteWarmest Regards,
Gretchen Paules
Administrative Director
Let Go...Let Peace Come In Foundation
111 Presidential Blvd., Suite 212
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004