One
Man’s Journey as a Rape Crisis Counselor with True Stories of Sexual
Violence
Robert Uttaro
“Rape
counselor Uttaro draws upon his years of experience to warn that
sexual abuse is far more prevalent than most people suspect, and provides a
moving series of survivor stories. Uttaro persuasively argues that
each survivor's story is unique—and this militates one-size-fits-all advice.
The surprising revelations of the survivors Uttaro interviews
corroborate his claim that justice is an individual concept that depends on
what redress survivors seek. Uttaro's assurances that survivors are
not defined by sexual abuse offer the possibility of a positive resolution.
This book is both informative for the general public and supportive for those
who have suffered sexual abuse. It is hard to imagine that members of either
group will not gain from reading it.”
- Publisher’s
Weekly Starred Review
“An
engaging examination of a painful subject, with a focus on healing and
forgiveness.”
- Kirkus Reviews
“Compassionate
advice...Quite Moving.”
- Kirkus Reviews
“To
the Survivors weaves together many candid accounts to form a brave and alarming
exposé of assault. It is a worthwhile, eye-opening project”
-
Foreword Clarion Reviews “To the Survivors is quite a read.
It’s informative. It is very compassionate. It is insightful. I think you have
presented more than one perspective. And you haven’t done it from a positioning
of one-sidedness. You really have covered quite a few different perspectives,
both of those that have been the victims of this horrific act and those that
want to help. So I really think it’s quite a powerfully packed book. To the
Survivors is a very powerful one.”
–
Donna Seebo, The Donna Seebo Show
To
the Survivors is a deeply-moving, empowering, and brutally
honest book about one man’s journey as a rape crisis counselor with true
stories of sexual violence shared by survivors in their own words. Gently
and beautifully constructed, To the Survivors is moving, tender,
sharp, and piercingly true all at once. Readers will
encounter uncensored written stories, poems,
and interviews from women and men who have been
sexually abused, plus the advocate-author voice
that weaves their experiences together. The survivors are
diverse in age, gender, and ethnicity, yet each gives a similarity raw and
heartfelt account of his or her victimization and recovery. The
authenticity and vulnerability with which survivors speak resonates
profoundly. But this book is not just for survivors of sexual
violence. Robert Uttaro believes anyone can benefit from the
words in these pages, rape survivor or not.
To
the Survivors is a timeless resource for a world that struggles with the
repercussions of sexual violence.
Below
are small excerpts from some of the contributors in To the
Survivors:
Corey:
To other survivors: Know that things do get better.
Alexis: There
is someone. I might not know you or know what you look like, but know I’m with
you in spirit. Or whatever you believe, know that I’m right there with you. I
believe you.
Jim: You
can have the shame taken away. You can go from bein awkward in social
situations, from beatin yourself up with negative talk
and everythin right across the board, to comin out the
other side and standin on your own two feet. You can feel comfortable
in your own skin, have your confidence come back, have your self-esteem come
back, and see everything that’s good about the world. That does exist out
there, even through something as very, very dark as this. There is hope on the
other side. There really is.
Rebecca:
Anger and hatred weigh you down and stress you out. Believe me, I know! I’m not
saying that suddenly you’ll be stress free and forget the whole thing – I’m
saying forgiveness makes you stronger. It’s one of the hardest things
to do – but it’s worth it. Life never gives you more than you can handle; at
times it may seem false, but it will all work out in the end. You’ll always
have the chance to take something negative and turn it into something positive
– starting with forgiveness. Always smile, because life gives you so many
things to smile about.
Jenee: Make
peace with all people if you can, and especially, make peace with yourself.
Always know there are friends somewhere rooting for you. There are people you
don’t know, always praying for you and lifting you before God.
LINKS
TO WEBSITES/SOCIAL NETWORKS
Website: http://www.robertuttaro.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/robert_uttaro
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