A Powerful Duo of book that will bring Healing in the wake of Childhood Sexual Abuse - REVIEWED

About the Book:  ( Andrew J. Schmutzer, Daniel A. Gorski, David Carlson) A stunningly vulnerable look at the horrific realities of sexual abuse and how to overcome them Male sexual abuse is increasingly in the news, from scandals in the Catholic Church to exploitations at Penn State. Yet books and programs about healing are still overwhelmingly oriented toward the female survivor of abuse. As men who experienced childhood abuse, the authors of this book are uniquely qualified to address the healing process of male survivors. Using the metaphor of a car accident, Naming Our Abuse leads the survivor from the Wreck to the Accident Report to Rehabilitation to Driving Again. This four-step model illustrates that healing is a process to be nurtured rather than something that can be healed in a single telling. Following the authors' examples, readers are invited to find solidarity with other male survivors and develop an understanding of their own wounding through journaling exercises.

About the Book: (Crystal M. Sutherland)
A path of hope and healing for survivors of childhood sexual abuse 

A woman who was sexually abused as a child is confronted with many internal questions: Am I worthless? Will I get past the pain? Do I matter to God? These and similar questions can carve a deep hole in an already wounded soul. Too often, the lies of worthlessness are believed, the pain becomes too much to handle, and survivors find themselves making choices that lead to more heartbreak. With over 42 million survivors (both male and female) in the United States alone, the need for a clear path to healing is great.

Crystal Sutherland—herself a survivor of CSA—knows that while the recovery process is complex, healing is possible with God’s help. For women who want to progress from simply coping to living abundantly,Journey to Heal guides readers through seven essential steps to recovery found in Scripture. Candid and open about her personal journey of healing, Crystal comes alongside her reader as a friend who understands. Infused with biblical truths, stories of hope from other survivors, and practical wisdom, this book leads women to discover the life of wholeness God has for them.

My Thoughts:

Childhood sexual abuse is far more common than anyone realizes.  The statistics in these books make me shudder. I personally know victims of this type of abuse, and I am convinced it is one of the most insidious ways that the enemy has to enslave people to shame and guilt.  This enslavement ends marriages, friendships and all types of family relations.  This is an evil that even parents of the children being abused refuse to confront, and that lack of protection only further damages the child.  This has to end, and everyone needs to know that hope and healing are possible!

This is a unique and, unfortunately, a desperately needed resource for adults of all ages.  These are books that are written by other who have survived and healed from abuse, and they gently bring readers to a place of hope where they can begin their own healing journey. The exercises and prayers found in the pages of these books will strengthen many.  I am convinced these books are divine appointments for many!  I’ve even suggested these as curriculum for small groups at my church!

I am so encouraged that these books exist, and I know many will begin and complete their healing through the pages of these books. 

About the Authors:
Andrew Schmutzer is Professor of Biblical Studies at Moody Bible Institute where his teaching focuses on Old Testament Scripture He has also served as adjunct teacher at Wheaton College and Northern Theological Seminary. Andrew is a steering committee member of ETS (Evangelical Theological Society) and is also a member of Christian Counseling Professionals of Chicagoland. He is an associate member of the Trauma & Transformation project to address sexual abuse in the Catholic Church (McGill University); a contributing editor of Edification, an interdisciplinary journal of the Society for Christian Psychology; and a consultant for www.1in6.org, an organization to help men who've experienced sexual abuse.


Crystal Sutherland is a writer, speaker, and friend to survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Her passion is to encourage women in their journey of faith, and lead them to the hope and healing that can only be found in Jesus Christ. Crystal holds a MA in Theological Studies and has over eighteen years of ministry experience, including women's ministry, youth ministry, worship, and Bible teaching. She as written and led a women's Bible study for survivors of sexual abuse. Her work can also be seen on her blog and lifelettercafe.com. Crystal and her husband Wes have three children, and two grandchildren. They live with their youngest son, Isaac, in Wilmington, North Carolina.