Audra Jennings

Part 2 of an interview with Andrew J. Schmutzer Co-Author of  Naming Our Abuse: God's Pathways to Healing for Male Sexual Abuse Survivors (Click here for part 1) 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, Andrew J. Schmutzer, Daniel A. Gorski and David Carlson, authors of  Naming Our Abuse: God's Pathways to Healing for Male Sexual Abuse Survivors  (Kregel Publications) are uniquely qualified to address the healing process of male survivors. In the book, each author shares his story, modeling for men how telling — and writing — their stories can play a significant role in recovery. “Writing helps the brain process the significance of what happened, not just the fact that it happened,” Schmutzer explains. “Dignity is recaptured by rememb...

Part 2 of an interview with Crystal M. Sutherland, Author of Journey to Heal (Click here for part 1)   Survivors of childhood sexual abuse often feel like the walking wounded. They feel alone and afraid, unsure of where to start in their search for lasting healing. It becomes far too easy to believe lies that say they’re worthless and true recovery is impossible. Crystal Sutherland—a survivor herself—knows that a simple formula for healing from such a painful past doesn’t exist. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t possible. For adult female survivors who want to progress from simply coping to living abundantly, Journey to Heal (Kregel Publications) guides readers through essential steps to recovery found in Scripture. Though candid and open about her personal journey, Sutherland avoids triggering descriptions. Instead, she offers stories of hope form other survivors and practical wisdom to lead you down a new path toward discovering the life of wholeness God desires for...

Part 1 of an interview with Andrew J. Schmutzer Co-Author of Naming Our Abuse: God's Pathways to Healing for Male Sexual Abuse Survivors From Penn State to the Catholic Church scandal, stories of sexual abuse are covered in the national media, but news reports do not reveal all the facts of how prevalent abuse is among males. “The standard statistic is that one in six boys is sexually abused before the age of 18 ( 1in6.org ). However, Male Survivor recently reported one in four men has been sexually abused,” Andrew J. Schmutzer, co-author of Naming Our Abuse: God's Pathways to Healing for Male Sexual Abuse Survivors (Kregel Publications) , explains. “One thing to understand about these statistics is that they are largely based on self-reporting, so they have been historically hard to come by. As specialists know, men don’t readily talk about their abuse.” Given the staggering statistics, why then does the church seem to be averse to addressing the issue? This w...

Part 1 of an interview with Crystal M.  Sutherland, Author of  Journey to Heal A woman who was sexually abused as a child can wrestle her whole adult life with questions such as,  Am I worthless? How can I move past the hurt? Do I matter to God?  This internal turbulence can carve a deep hole in an already wounded soul. Crystal M. Sutherland’s own experiences as a child led her to write  Journey to Heal: Seven Essential Steps of Recovery for Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse  (Kregel Publications) . Q: Your book,  Journey to Heal ,   addresses an especially sensitive subject. How prevalent is child sexual abuse in our country? The prevalence of childhood sexual abuse in our country is one of the best-kept secrets of our culture today. It is a crime perpetuated in silence and secrecy, and often children who may attempt to tell an adult are ignored, dismissed or misunderstood. Based on recorded cases, it is estimated there are mo...

Three men share their stories of sexual abuse as an encouragement for others to share theirs From Penn State to the Catholic Church scandal, stories of sexual abuse are covered in the national media, but news reports do not reveal all the facts of how prevalent abuse is among males. “The standard statistic is that one in six boys is sexually abused before the age of 18 ( 1in6.org ). However, Male Survivor recently reported one in four men has been sexually abused,” Andrew J. Schmutzer , co-author of Naming Our Abuse: God's Pathways to Healing for Male Sexual Abuse Survivors (Kregel Publications/April 27, 2016/ISBN: 978-0825444005/$14.99) , explains. “One thing to understand about these statistics is that they are largely based on self-reporting, so they have been historically hard to come by. As specialists know, men don’t readily talk about their abuse.” Given the staggering statistics, why then does the church seem to be averse to addressing the issue? This was th...

Crystal M. Sutherland draws from her journey to offer hope to those on the same road A woman who was sexually abused as a child can wrestle her whole adult life with questions such as, Am I worthless? How can I move past the hurt? Do I matter to God? This internal turbulence can carve a deep hole in an already wounded soul. Crystal M. Sutherland’s own experiences as a child led her to write Journey to Heal: Seven Essential Steps of Recovery for Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse (Kregel Publications/April 27, 2016/ISBN: 978-0825444012/$14.99) . With more than 42 million victims (both male and female) of child sexual abuse in the U.S. alone, the need for healing is enormous. While there is no simple formula for those seeking recovery, Sutherland believes the Bible contains essential guidance for moving toward peace. Journey to Heal is a practical and comprehensive study of seven steps specifically for female survivors who want to progress from simply coping with life to...

An interview with Justin and Lindsey Holcomb, Authors of God Made All of Me   It ’ s perhaps a parent ’ s greatest fear – that at some point his or her child will become a victim of sexual abuse. The statistics are alarming: Approximately one in five children will become victims by his or her 18th birthday. Authors Justin and Lindsey Holcomb have responded to parents’ concerns by writing God Made All of Me: A Book to Help Children Protect Their Bodies (New Growth Press/September 8, 2015) , a resource for moms and dads who want to protect and educate their children. Q: What prompted you to write God Made All of Me? What age range was it written for? The book is for 2-to-8-year-olds. We wrote it because we have two young children and know parents need tools to help talk with their kids about their bodies and to help them understand the difference between appropriate and inappropriate touch. It allows families to build a first line of defense against sexual abuse ...

An Interview with Cecil Murphey, Author of Not Quite Healed     Survivors of sexual abuse face a long road to recovery, a journey in which they often ask, “Shouldn’t I be there by now?” Having faced the recovery process themselves, Cecil Murphey and Gary Roe, in Not Quite Healed: 40 Truths for Male Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse (Kregel Publications / March 8, 2013 / ISBN 978-0825442704 / $14.99) , honestly and openly assure fellow survivors that healing is a process, which by definition means it doesn’t happen quickly—but it will happen. Q: What percentage of men has experienced some kind of sexual abuse? No one knows because men don’t readily open up. The conservative figure is 1 in 6; more likely, it’s closer to 1 in 3. Q: What are a few of the most common misconceptions about childhood sexual abuse? ·         Those who have been abused will become abusers. ·       ...