The Book's Story
A ground-breaking book has been published to help victims of rape and sexual abuse all over the world to turn the page on their traumatic experiences.
The Survivor’s Guide to Recovery from Rape or Sexual Abuse offers vital support and advice to abuse victims in a fresh, user-friendly format. The aim is to make the publication easily accessible to everyone – no matter where in the world they live - who has suffered from rape or sexual abuse or has been affected by the issues.
Funded purely by goodwill and donations, the book is the result of an ambitious campaign by volunteers at Warwickshire-based charity ROSA (Rape or Sexual Abuse Project), who were frustrated by the lack of support literature for abuse victims worldwide.
They have written and produced The Survivor’s Guide with the backing of professional women’s organisation Soroptimist International, whose club members in Rugby, Warwickshire fundraised tirelessly for a year to get the project off the ground.
The Survivor’s Guide is available to buy from online book store Amazon as well as eBay. It is also stocked by various bookstores and well as Mind Publications.
Fay Maxted, who co-wrote the book with fellow author Robert Kelly, said volunteers had been faced with many obstacles during the guide’s creation, but had been spurred on by a firm belief it would make a difference to thousands of lives. She said: “Like many others, the charity faces funding difficulties, so we knew producing the book was not going to be easy.
“We have been overwhelmed by the response and kind-hearted support of local people, particularly from the Rugby Soroptimists, who have done all they can to finance the publishing and make the book a success.
“It’s a shocking statistic that one in four girls and one in six boys are believed to suffer from sexual abuse. We really believe in The Survivor’s Guide and the difference it can make to the lives of rape or sexual abuse victims, wherever they live.”
Co-author Robert Kelly said: “Sexual abuse has been taboo for many years, and all survivors seemed to get in terms of support were a few leaflets, then left to their own devices. There are only a few publications out there at the moment and those are crammed with text and can be ‘heavy’ to read, particularly when someone is distressed. The Survivor’s Guide takes a different approach using illustrations and text to tell the story and offer guidance in a friendlier format.”
Leigh Hunt, member of Soroptimist International of Rugby which supported the project, added: “It was hard work raising the money to publish the book, but also a time of celebration that so many talented people have been prepared to give their time and skills for the benefit of the project and at no cost. I hope the result will help others during an extremely difficult period of their lives.”
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