Child Arise!: The Courage to Stand: A Spiritual Handbook for Survivors of Sexual Abuse - Softcover

Dowling, Jane N

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1863551743 ISBN 13: 9781863551748

Publisher: David Lovell Publishing Pty Ltd, 2017

Synopsis

This practical handbook invites the reader to embark on a journey of healing by taking a guided walk through the Scriptures where they will learn to listen to their personal story narrated by a loving God. As this transforming journey unfolds, the reader will be amazed as they discover the presence of an all-loving and compassionate God who walks with them and extends a healing hand to them, empowering them to work through the effects and issues of sexual abuse. It is a practical handbook that also offers insight to spiritual and pastoral care workers accompanying survivors of sexual abuse, family and friends and other supporters.

- The author writes as a survivor of abuse speaking to other survivors of abuse (particularly sexual abuse).

- It is a practical handbook that invites the reader to participate by walking their own spiritual journey.

- It acknowledges the deep spiritual wounds of survivors of abuse by dealing with the big existential questions that arise.

- It deals with the distorted image of God that victims often cannot escape.

- Even those who read the book and have not have been abused can walk this spiritual journey.

-. While focusing on the spiritual, it is also integrates the very real practical issues faced by survivors of abuse and those who support them.

- It is written in a gentle and non-imposing manner.

-. It is gently introduces the readers to a technique and step-by step-guide on how to encounter and listen to God through the Scriptures and how to experience the transforming power of Scripture at work in their life.

- It reveals how holistic healing can be achieved through spirituality and shows how God works through the Scriptures and has the power to transform and integrate the physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual effects of abuse.

- It is a practical handbook that offers insight to spiritual and pastoral care workers accompanying survivors of sexual abuse and the technique of approaching the Scriptures may be used as a guide for survivor support groups attempting to respond to survivor's spiritual needs.

About this title

About the Author:

Jane Dowling has spent twenty-two years as a consecrated member of an international Catholic missionary society facilitating retreats and providing guidance on how to pray with the Scriptures. As a survivor of sexual abuse, she experienced the transformative power of God's word in her own healing journey. Further witnessing this transformation in others prompted her to write this book. In late 2012, having taken leave from her community and ministry commitments for health reasons, she appeared before the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. 'My decision to tell my story to the Royal Commission', she says, 'not only initiated a personal journey of deeper healing but also provided the raw material for God to work with and what I needed to begin writing this book.' 'What I attempt to do in this book is invite survivors not only to connect with their stories but to listen to their own story being narrated by a loving God who speaks to them personally through the Scriptures. I accompany them in this process of journeying through the Scriptures. My reflections are an invitation to the reader to personalize his or her own experience of God's love by giving them step by step guidance on how they can apply the Scriptures to their own survivor context so that they can experience the power of it in their daily life. My hope is that by the end of the book the reader will be left with a technique for reflecting upon and praying with the Scriptures and that this will serve as a means for their continued healing and transformation from the effects and issues of sexual abuse.'

Review:

I really like Child Arise! The courage to stand and will review it for the next Tintean drop (6th Sept). It really is an inspiring book, beautifully presented and has done more to raise my awareness of the trauma and tragedy of sexual abuse than anything else I've read. It would also make a very good basis for a spiritual journey, even for those who are not victims.

Elizabeth McKenzie, editor, Tintean

CHILD ARISE! The Courage to Stand, by Jane M. Dowling, published by David Lovell Publishing, paperback, 272 pages, rrp $29.95.

THIS book makes for powerful I reading as it is written by a survivor of sexual abuse for other victims. The author is someone who has spent countless hours meditating on the Scriptures and applying them to her situation. It is a timely book which should offer great comfort to victims of sexual abuse particularly those who have had old wounds opened by the ongoing publicity surrounding the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Child Arise! is practical spiritual handbook for the survivors of sexual abuse and will help them on their journey towards healing through I Scripture.

As the author writes, it is not meant to replace other psychological therapies or supports which survivors may already have in place. In fact the book could be used by those assisting survivors by giving them some pastoral and spiritual skills, and even to establish support groups. And members of the clergy who it is reported often don't know which way to turn when one of their fellows stand accused, might also gain a deeper insight into the life-long effects of sexual abuse and the long journey to healing. There is a lengthy introduction I to the book, explaining how to I use it for best effort. The first half of the book is a series of short reflections on God's Word from the Old Testament to enable survivors to reflect on their story from the perspective of a loving God. The second half has mainly New Testament reflections which focus on particular issues and readers are encouraged to read those which deal with the various things they are now confronting. At the back of the book is a handy list of various support services which survivors may choose to contact.

Catholic Life, August 2015

'This is, I believe, one of the most important books to have been written in a time of what, for the church, is one of intense scrutiny and dark and disturbing exposure. It is an account of personal courage and gracious spirit, and a story of remarkable faith.'

David Ranson, from the Foreword

'Members of the clergy who it is reported often don't know which way to turn when one of their fellows stand accused, might also gain a deeper insight into the life-long effects of sexual abuse and the long journey to healing.'

Catholic Life August 2015

'This book is an important contribution to a truthful and creative response to the disturbing revelations of abuse in the church ... a faith-filled story, full of courage and honesty. A life of loving reflection on the Word of God was severely tested by the hell of trauma. Instead of despair and bitterness, the author discovered her vocation afresh; to affirm the reality and constancy of God's love and to challenge a culture and darkness that lead to abuse and violation of childhood.'

Richard White, grief counsellor, The Swag, Spring 2015

About this edition

• Publisher: David Lovell Publishing Pty Ltd
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 1863551743
• ISBN 13: 9781863551748
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 274