Recommended Reading: Abuse Against Men
Although the majority of research on and discussions about domestic and sexual violence focus on women, it is important to remember that men can be victims too. About 1 in 7 men have experienced severe physical violence from an intimate partner. In fact, men may be less likely to report violence and abuse, so this number could be even higher. If you’re interested in learning more about domestic and sexual violence against men, check out Palomar’s recommended reads below.
Victims No Longer
Mike Lew
For millions of men on the path to recovery, Victims No Longer is the next step. The first book written specifically for men, Victims No Longer examines the changing cultural attitudes toward male survivors of incest and other sexual trauma. Now, in this Second Edition, this invaluable resource continues to offer compassionate and practical advice, supported by personal anecdotes and statements of male survivors.
Healing the Man Within: Hope For Victims of Childhood Sexual Abuse
Randy Boyd
Randy offers survivors and their families answers to their questions of why they act out the way they do, and strategies to start living with greater purpose and happiness. Unlike books based on academic theories and abstract philosophies, Randy Boyd talks candidly about what it takes for men to heal from the pain of childhood sexual abuse. Randy tells his story in a way that the lay-person can absolutely relate to. He talks candidly about the effects of male sexual abuse such as low self-esteem, low self-worth, self-doubt, sexual problems, un-forgiveness, anger and rage. He talks about the direct correlation between sexual abuse and drug and alcohol addiction, as well as his drive to be successful in life at all cost as a way of proofing his worth as a man. With contributions from Jerry Moe, Dan Griffin, Dr. Allen Berger, John Lee and Dr. Mic Hunter, Healing the Man Within is a well balanced book between an autobiography and a self-help book
Empty Playground: A Survivor's Story
Callen Harty
Empty Playground is a memoir that shares the journey from childhood sex abuse through the repercussions suffered and into recovery and healing. It is the story of a male survivor, an often overlooked segment of the survivor community. It is a story often lived but not often told as men, both gay and straight, are so reluctant to speak about their abuse and often stay silent about their emotions as well. It has only been in the last decade or so that male survivors have been added to the discussion of sexual assault but the topic has more recently become recognized, particularly with the revelations of several well-known survivors, among them basketball player Keyon Dooling, hockey player Theo Fleury, and actor Tyler Perry. They have all told their stories. There are countless other stories out there about ordinary people who have survived similar abuse, but most of them remain untold. Empty Playground is one such story, told with an unflinching directness and gentle honesty.
Joining Forces: Empowering male Survivors to Thrive
Howard Fradkin
Joining Forces: Empowering Male Survivors to Thrive is an inspirational new book written to empower male survivors of sexual victimization to develop skills they can use to overcome the effects of trauma and learn to thrive in their lives. Male survivors often struggle to feel any sense of hope for the future, so this book is designed to inspire survivors and their allies with easily learned skills developed over the course of the author’s 30-year career, and the real-life experiences of male survivors who have learned to thrive. Each chapter invites survivors to dare to dream that they can take another step in their healing process through leaving their isolation behind, challenging their dysfunctional beliefs and replacing them with healthier functional messages, practicing healing exercises, reading about the struggles and successes of men just like themselves, and learning how to build hope through the use of affirmations.
Abused Men: The Hidden Side of Domestic Violence
Philip W. Cook
An award-winning investigative journalist provides a disturbing new look at an underreported type of domestic violence―the abuse of men. The first edition of Philip W. Cook’s book, Abused Men: The Hidden Side of Domestic Violence, drew attention and praise nationwide from individuals and from media, ranging from CNN and Fox network’s The O’Reilly Factor to scholarly publications such as The Journal of Marriage and Family. On the 10th anniversary of that groundbreaking book, Cook began revising and expanding his work. The result is this second edition―a disturbing look at a trend that continues to increase.