Push Back The Dark [Hardcover]

Adults in your church, small group, or other Christian organization are silently suffering the tragic consequences of having been sexually abused as children or youth. Why aren't they coming forward for help? Their reluctance may be related to wounds given by the faithful--religious people they trusted, who said things like well, it wasn't rape or it's been thirty years--why is this such a big deal? Such responses from people with religious authority deepen victims' need to shrink into anxiety, depression, and self-degradation.

This book offers you the tools needed to undertake caring ministry to adults suffering in the aftermath of childhood sexual abuse. Once you understand the scientific research on such topics as trauma memory, consequences of abuse, and forgiveness, you will appreciate how caring collaboration can create hope and healing. In these pages every reader will find helpful content that will take you from feeling out of your depth to knowing you are empowered to be an effective companion in God's transforming work in the lives of survivors of abuse.

Push Back the Dark challenges us to understand childhood sexual abuse in order to empathize and walk as companions with those who have been victimized. It is an intensely personal account, supplemented by data and psychological science. It speaks directly to the church, imploring Christians to listen and help. It speaks to therapists, facilitating understanding of the particular issues faced by Christian clients.
--Mark Stanton, Psychologist; Provost, Azusa Pacific University

Push Back the Dark is a most important and inspirational book, primarily for Christians, but applicable to people of all faiths for the truths it tells. With courage born of walking through the darkness, Dr. Altmeier uses her own history to accomplish the many objectives of this book. Her anger is palpable when describing the personal, pastoral, and institutional denial and betraylı