Resurrection After Rape: A Guide to Transforming from Victim to Survivor

Since I don't remember much about my trauma, I couldn't find a therapist that could help me. However, this book has healing and answers. It puts into words things I didn't even realize I was struggling with and has helped me heal more than I thought was possible. An aside - working through trauma is a painful experience, no matter how good the help is. This book is hard. The pain is real. But instead of being stuck, this pain led somewhere healing. I finally started making PROGRESS. As I've worked through it, I'm beginning to experience deeper peace than I've felt in 20+ years.

I am nothing short of amazed at how much this book has helped me. I suffered for years with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and was incredibly afraid to deal with everything I was feeling. I thought that spending time sober and facing my emotions would leave me a complete, dysfunctional mess for a long time, if not forever. I couldn't have been more wrong. I healed more in the three weeks I spent working through this book than I did in the three years I spent avoiding my pain. It changed what I believe about being raped and about myself. If you are struggling to recover from sexual abuse, PLEASE find some way to help yourself, and talk to someone about what you're going through. There are therapists, counselors, support groups, crisis lines, shelters, books, articles, and likely many loving people in your life who can offer support...many of these resources are available for free so don't let anything stop you. I highly recommend this book as a starting point for your healing or a supplement to your therapy.

I haven't finished reading the book as yet. Due to the subject matter, I am taking it slowly and reading it in chunks to let it digest. I originally encountered this book in a support group, we used a chapter for a session. That one chapter had me hooked. So, soon after, I purchased it from Amazon. There was so much in it that sounded like the author knew me and my thoughts and feelings personally. Which means a lot of sexual assault survivors probably have similar views on life.It kind of makes me feel more connected and less alone.It does a lot of answering questions, such as the definition of rape, and gives tips on how to find a good therapist, explains things like triggers and how brain chemistry changes, and many other things. There are also suggestions for journaling and just helps to give things a different perspective then what one might already have.I cry a lot when I read it. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing. I don't regret purchasing it. It was the most excited I ever was to receive a book about rape. It makes me think about things I don't necessarily want to think about, but I'm expecting good things as a result of it. It's been helpful in giving me something to talk about in therapy as well.I recommend this book. Sometime in the future, when I have more time and am not reading a bunch of other books, I plan on getting his book of letters to survivors by survivors.

For anyone who has been a victim of sexual assault or knows someone who has, this book will be like a friend holding your hand during the continual journey as a survivor. My story is of a sexually abusive grandfather when I was in elementary school and this book, this "guide to transforming from a victim to survivor," reminds me how far I've come and how strong I've become. You may cry in sympathy and recognition or fist pump the air with power and determination but however you respond, keep a highlighter pen ready to mark the parts that especially speak to you so you can reread them again and again like I do.

This is not a "fluff" book giving information one already knows. It is a HARD recovery book to work in, just as the author says it is. It has suggestions and homework that had never crossed my mind. I can only read a few pages at a time because it is intense - and there is a reason for that. Don't shy away from that fact. The title, "Resurrection After Rape" is just that. - Resurrection. And I'm not there yet. I figure it will take months if not a year or more to work through, which is the whole idea. I would like nothing more than to rush past the incident and move on. I have now painfully realized that no matter how tough I am, it just doesn't work that way and I was getting worse instead of better. Any other problem I have had, no matter how traumatic, I was able to address and move on. Not this time. Get the book.

This book is perfection. Extremely helpful for survivors. All therapists should own this book. It’s an easy read too vs being textbook like.

This book is incredible and can help a lot of people. Matt Atkinson has a huge heart and helps female rape survivors overcome their struggles with the aftermath of sexual violence. He offers great insights and exercises to do with one's therapist, and the survivors' words and artwork are very powerful. Although it's a book written about and for female rape survivors, I believe men and significant others can benefit from this book as well. This book is extremely valuable in a world that suffers from sexual violence. Too many are affected, but "Resurrection after Rape" can help with that in many ways.

This is amongst the best ever book on how to heal and thrive after rape. I have read many and this one does the job alone. The case studies are on adult survivors of child abuse but it's relevant to all victims as it applies to all survivors but focuses on the gender of survivors being females and rapists males. It debunks and challenged myths, it explains that becoming "promiscuous" after the trauma is a sexual grieving progress and repercussion not an indication of character and behaviour or minimises the trauma. It identifies also the other side of the coin which is sexual anorexia. It is sensitive, none judgemental, resonates with lots of survivors and stories and extracts are taken by survivors. It challenges feelings of guilt and shame in an insightful manner and also tackles the feelings of feeling dirty in a way that heals and changes perspectives reminding us that the bodies cells rejuvenate and are replaced constantly so that our bodies are not the same ones when we were abused. That we have the same value just as a note would even if folded or scrunched in our wallets. It suggests exercises such as making a collage, to redefine sexuality and separate abuse from sex. It covers additions, the importance of forgiveness but does not suggest forgiving abuser or encourages it and speaks of self forgiveness from own blame. It challenges detrimental social messages and attitudes such as blame the victim and talks about rape culture and how rapists are socially conditioned not psychologically disturbed. It outlines the kinds of rapists in general but never makes generalisation on neither abusers or survivors. It explains the different stages of healing from victim, survivor to thriver and also three modes: the victim, the warrior and the wise one and how we can work with all three of these modes. It also recognises that negative sexual experiences can be harmful and need healing even when rape or assault isn't part of it. It's a great healing guide and book and one that will transform your life. It is the very heaven sent book you need to help with recovery, be understood in ways that few can understand and give you that validation, that support and understanding and knowledge and resonate deep within your heart and soul, restoring your faith in humanity and knowing that someone does understand and that you are not alone or misunderstood. Highly recommend it. It's a must for survivors, those that want to help them and understand the subject and for professionals too. Simple to read and also a free PDF is available on the site. Thank you to the author for such humanity and transforming many lives. Worth every penny because it will last a lifetime and is invaluable. Don't hesitate to buy it.

I am overwhelmed by the compassion and understanding viewpoint of this books author who obviously knows his stuff.It is quite a difficult book to work through given the nature of its subject matter.Iimmediately felt supported in some way and was relieved that finally someone was coming from the right angle.Iwas also overwhelmed at certain portions of the book that had a very freeing kind of affect on my soul.Iam only part of the way through this book but i would recommend it for anyone requireing support .

I bought this for someone very close who had been suffering, they were too scared to open up to a counselor. I bought them this as a self help book and it has worked to some extent. I'd recommend this to anyone in the same situation. The book covers case studys and how to deal with guilt and feelings.

I have read many books on healing from rape / sexual abuse. This book stands out as being the best one by far. Don't let the title 'resurrection' put you off if you do not have a christian faith - this is not a 'christian faith' style book, but a factual and extremely helpful manual. It debunks many of the common rape myths, and provides a lot of research and true stories that will help you to heal. It is also linked to an excellent online forum. There are actual things for you to do on your healing journey. It is inspirational and practical and should be the first book every survivor reads. It offers hope, but does not balk at the very real struggles that there can be on the way to wholeness.

Outstanding. If you’re trying to deal with the aftermath of rape, this book will soothe your pain. It matters not if the rape was recent or a long-ago traumatic event. Stay strong; you are not alone 🙏🏻