Surviving Sexual Violence

A Guide to Recovery and Empowerment

Edited by Thema Bryant-Davis

Publication date:

16 October 2011

Length of book:

384 pages

Publisher

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Dimensions:

239x161mm
6x9"

ISBN-13: 9781442206397

Victims of sexual assault experience their trauma in different ways, and often one path to recovery and healing is right for one person, but not right for another. While there are some general mental health effects of sexual violence, this book outlines and describes the impact of particular types of sexual violation. Whether the survivor has experienced childhood sexual abuse, sexual assault during adulthood, marital rape, sexual harassment, sex trafficking, or sexual violence within the military, they will find aspects of her experience in these pages. Once survivors understand the ways in which they have been affected, they are introduced to various pathways to surviving sexual violence and moving forward. The chapters provide case examples and specific activities which give a fuller description of the ways survivors can make use of the particular approaches, which include mind-body practices, counseling, group therapies, self-defense training, and others. Anyone who has been a victim of sexual violence, or knows and cares about someone who has, will find relief in these pages, which offer practical approaches to finding balance and healing.

Introduction
Overview of Specific Sexual Violations

1. Surviving sexual harassment: Coping with, recognizing, and preventing unwanted sexual behaviors in the workplace, NiCole T. Buchanan and Zaje A. Harrell
2. Human Trafficking: Not an Isolated Issue,Michelle Contreras and Melissa Farley
3. Sexual Assault by Strangers and Non-intimate Associates, Kelly Cue Davis
4. Marital Rape and Sexual Violation by Intimate Partners, A. Monique Clinton-Sherrod and Jennifer Hardison Walters
5. War and Sexual Violence in the Military, Janet C’de Baca, Ph.D.
6. Multiple Perpetrator Sexual Assault: Risk Factors, Effects, and Help-seeking, Shaquita Tillman
7. Understanding Child Sexual Abuse: Prevalence, Multicultural Considerations, and Lifespan Effects, Anneliese A. Singh and April Sikes

Paths of Recovery
8. Cognitive and Behavioral Treatments for Sexual Violence, Diane T. Castillo
9. Rape Crisis Centers: Serving Survivors and Their Communities, Jessica Shaw and Rebecca Campbell
10. EMDR for Sexual Assault, Diane Clayton
11. Family Systems and Recovery from Sexual Violence and Trauma, Amy Tuttle
12. Feminist Counseling as a Pathway to Recovery, Carolyn Zerbe Enns
13. Restoring Relationships: Group interventions for survivors of sexual traumas, Shannon Lynch
14. Mind-Body Practices for Recovery from Sexual Trauma, Patricia L. Gerbarg and Richard P. Brown
15. An Integration of Narrative Therapy and Positive Psychology with Sexual Abuse Survivors, Z. Seda Sahin and Melissa L. McVicker
16. A Psychodynamic Approach to Recovery from Sexual Assault, Pratyusha Tummala-Narra, Ph.D.
17. Psychoeducation following Sexual Assault, Joanne L. Davis, Heidi Resnick, and Rachael M. Swopes
18. The Benefits of Self-Defense Training for Sexual Assault Survivors, Leanne R. Brecklin, Ph.D.
19. Social Support and Resilience in the Aftermath of Sexual Assault: Suggestions across life course, gender and racial groups, Tamara G.J. Leech and Marci Littlefield
20. Spirituality/Religion as a Healing Pathway for Survivors of Sexual Violence, Sannisha Dale and Jessica Henderson Daniel
21. Writing Your Way to Peace and Power: Empowerment Journaling as a Pathway to Healing and Growth,Shelly P. Harrell
Conclusion
Additional Resources
About the Contributors

The premise of Bryant-Davis’s (psychology, Pepperdine Univ.) book is that while survivors of sexual violence often develop mental health issues, they can still grow and live full lives. A victim of sexual assault, Bryant-Davis empathetically explains the range of different sexual violations, from harassment in the workplace and marital rape to sexual violence in the military and childhood sexual abuse. She draws from experts in the field to shed light on various modes of recovery including mind-body practices, psychoeducation, spirituality/religion, and journaling. Bryant offers comprehensive treatment options for practitioners and readers familiar with the field.