Abuse Books

Well written, and very informative for forensic psychologist, social workers, and mental health staff members.

dr. doren provides an excellent resource for the professional conducting civil commitment evaluations of sex offenders. he provides a fully sufficient review of relevant laws across the states that had civil commitment laws in 2002. he provides an excellent, detailed, methodical approach for the clinician conducting such evaluations. he discusses very practical implementation issues and how to avoid potential problems. when used with other sources, this is very helpful and i wish more evaluators might read and use this text before conducting such evaluations. i hope that he provides an update soon that includes discussion of all changes in state laws and, if the federal child protection act is passed, the effects of that legislation on federally-required state civil commitment laws and their implementation. he could discuss in greater detail some of the legal and programmatic implementation concerns. a revision might also include helpful web sites, literature, state resources, perhaps even documentation. this 4 year old edition, while not perfect, is outstanding and, i believe, worth every penny spent, new.

Evaluating Sex Offenders: A Manual for Civil Commitmemts and Beyond
is an excellent guide for mental health professionals who do this type of work. While the focus is on understanding the civil commitments laws which apply to some states with such laws, the book has broader utility. Dr. Doren does a fine job of explaining his model of offender risk assessment and providing professionals with the means of doing forensically defensable evaluations. This book will be read with interest by anyone working with sexual offenders.

I haven't read a "young adult" book in years, not since I read my children bedtime stories decades ago. But a friend recommended this, and I am very glad I read it. Levchuk writes very well, and does an excellent job of getting into the head and heart of a 17 year old girl. At times I was reminded of The Catcher in the Rye. It's that evocative. Edna embodies Yeats' dictum: hearts are not had as a gift but hearts are earned by those who are not entirely beautiful. The cultural references, esprcialy to the popular music of the time, were amusing and realistic. The minor characters, such as the alcoholic pharmacist who has an Elvis fetish, were very well developed.

I couldn't put this book down. Although the plot revolves around some very serious issues that this teenage girl is dealing with, the author's sense of wit and humor keeps the story entertaining. Not necessarily a novel for young adults, and perhaps even better for a reader looking back on teenage years. Loved it!

Loved this book! I'm not sure why it is classified as "young adult" - although the story is focused on a young girl, it is certainly not juvenile. The characters, especially Edna, are extremely relatable and the plot is gripping. I've recommended this book to be the next selection for my book club. Thoroughly enjoyable from the first page to the last for anyone who is now or has ever been a teenager.

For years I felt trapped by my addictions. My constant needs and inability to escape my own mental prison. This book was the light at the end of the tunnel for me. Without its help, I don't know where I would be today. Each night, I thank my creator for this work. God bless you, Jay Bridgers.

I was so down for a long time and this book awakened something in me--pride. That I'm not the only one who is going through these things and my experiences aren't unique. Even though the book is geared for adolescents, I still found the material to be relevant to what I was going through. I cannot recommend this book highly enough in identifying how you may have problems, and that you're not alone in them. This book is wonderful. I've brought it to my group and they liked it too.

I am a former teenage addict and this book was one of the most important influences in my recovery. It is hard to imagine an author more in touch with the problems of adolescent addiction. Anyone who suffers from an addictive personality or knows someone that does should read this book.

Myers provides an excellent resource for practioners in the area of child abuse. Also includes citations to court cases addressing evidentiary issues.=

Staying current with the latest changes in this sensitive area of the law is quite a challenge. With this exhaustive resource in your library, your worries are over. This comprehensive book clearly sets forth the latest case law on the complex evidentiary and constitutional issues faced by an attorney prosecuting or defending child abuse and neglect proceedings. You'll get relevant information on stages of child development and how they apply to this type of litigation. A compilation of appellate case law on child abuse and neglect law and psychological issues is also included. Integrating the wisdom of the psychological, medical, and legal disciplines, this work guides you through all of the investigative and litigation issues. Also included are forms and checklists to assist in discovery

Actually, it's two books, Volume I and Volume II. But Professor John Myers' book EVIDENCE IN CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT CASES is the single most complete, current, and balanced resource there is for information on this very important topic. John Myers' work has been cited by over 150 courts nationwide, and with good reason. I have been working in the field of child abuse and neglect for many years and have used this book extensively. It's not a book that every lawyer or judge needs to have individually, although that would be great, but it is a book that every law office and court (criminal, juvenile, family) should have in its library. It gives citations to cases throughout the U.S., as well as to statutes. It reviews the literature and trends in this very area. And, of course, it gives the insights and assessments of Professor Myers on MANY areas of evidence that affect child abuse and neglect cases. This book is simply an invaluable resource for lawyers and judges working in the child abuse and neglect field, whether they be prosecutors, defense attorneys, children's attorneys, or judicial officers.

Shipman begins her book with Darwin and reflects on his struggles in presenting "The Origin of the Species" as he understood the controversy it would unleash. It is remarkable that the controversy has not abated in over a hundred years, but has instead evolved as delineated in the book. Shipman's work should be required reading for students in a variety of disciplines to give them the tools to defend against the henchmen of pseudoscience such as Rushton and Kevin MacDonald. Shipman reflects on the complexities of evolution and of human differences while making it clear that the human experience is diverse, and the use of science to support racism is not good science by any measure. This book is need badly in an updated version to uncover the flawed arguments of the newly prominent racists who are sheltered by academia.

Alas a writer who acknowledges that evolution implies racism and selection of the superior race. Politicians have been trying to suppress this, but they will fail in the end, as evolution wins. You cannot stop nature.

Creationists can be funny (See below). But this is no laughing matter. Pat Shipman, and other scientists, should be applauded for taking a stand against pseudoscience, not belittled. Kudos to Shipman for writing such a wonderful book.

I AM ONE OF THE CONTRIBUTORS OF THIS BOOK. I HAD NOT READ ANY OF THE OTHER STORIES UNTIL THE BOOK CAME OUT. IT WARMS MY HEART TO SEE THAT SO MANY OF US NOT ONLY MADE IT OUT, BUT REACHED HEIGHTS IN OUR LIVES WE COULD NEVER EVEN DREAM OF BEFORE. THIS BOOK SHOWS US ALL THERE IS HOPE. IT INSPIRES THE READER WHO MAY NOT BE THERE YET THAT THEY CAN DO IT TOO. WE HOLD THE POWER LADIES--AND THE EVOLVING WOMAM IS PROOF!

This book is a must read for all women. It's packed with inspiration for all people still stuck in abusive relationships. All these women made it out and have a good life to show for it. It's a great read!

What determination it has taken for the individuals who contributed to this book. It shows that they had the courage to overcome their own personal situation and achieve where they are in life today. What an inspiration to those that still need the hope. I know, for I am one of the "survivors"!

When people grow up with spiritual abuse, they woould definately benefit from this book.

Faith That Hurts, FaithThat Heals is an excellent guidebook to
understanding what healthy faith is and is not.

So many books of this type seek to destroy or eliminate the
element of faith in a person's life or they are, in fact, taking
aim at one or more specific "ministries." Arterburn and Felton offer a view of religion that is liberating without insisting on unbelief. They encourage the reader to use the sense God gave
them to compare the gospel message to what they are experiencing
in a church, fellowship, friendship, class, or marriage and family situation. They encourage the reader to question and reason. Jesus always questioned and always reasoned and never
accepted that he should accept whatever was preached just because
someone said he should. In the spirit of Christ, these men encourage the reader to "come, let us reason."

The authors address the claims of popular religion and encourage
the believer to understand that "grace is free but it ain't cheap." They also warn of the dangers of religious addiction and
how easy it is to focus on religion while avoiding what are the
real issues of a person's life.

While all these issues and more are addressed, the good news of the book is that a person can recover from harmful addictive
behaviors and become a healthy person with a healthy faith.

_Faith that Hurts, Faith that Heals_ should be required reading
for every believer.

Donna Reagan at Warden Memorial Library

This book provides tremendous insight into an addiction: addiction to religion. Particularly helpful is the description of the structure of addictive religious groups. Read this book for a glimpse into the world of angry and power-grabbing religious leaders, steeped in denial; their hurting and victimized followers...and the ensuing results. The similarity between the illustrations in the book, and actual situations commonly found today will be clear. Not for the queasy or timid reader. This book will help you to clarify the distinction between faith and addiction. Challenging, informative, and highly recommended. For those who have been trapped in a destructive religious group of any kind, including an abusive church, this book will facilitate understanding and healing.

There have been many chapters written on domestic and family violence and this book has 28 of the best that have ever been written on the subject. With its broad array of respected contributing authors from such a diverse range of experience it should be required reading for judges, attorneys, mediators and others who work in the field of family and juvenile law. This book is also a must read for any elected official, policy maker and their staff who are making decisions on legislation related to domestic violence policy and training. This book finally breaks the glass ceiling on the subject. I give it a solid 5 stars.

Michael Robinson
Policy Consultant & Lobbyist
Family & Juvenile Law Issues
Sacramento, CA

I facilate domestic violence groups.. This is the most comprehensive, up- to-date resource from the best and brightest minds in the field. I so appreciate having all this information in one book.

A very helpful reference book useful for inclusive domestic violence treatment and counseling. It moves us from the former gender-divisive shame/blame approach to much more effective methods.

this may help! For years I was wondering what was holding me back from God. After reading this book it all clicked. For years church members were relating God to earthly fathers. My father was absent, mean, nasty temper, etc. So in turn, this is what I thought of God. After all I thought my dad was "normal" never had any other dad to compare him to. Great great book. Highly highly reccomended!

A-Plus! "Father Hunger" is an excellent book! This informative and heart touching book helps reveal how deeply we are all affected by our relationships with our "fathers." A much needed book on the subject of "father hunger" which showed me how and why I do what I do when I do it. A very thought provoking book and one which I highly value and treasure. Definitely a good read for those that want to pursue their journey towards wholeness and healing! I'd also highly recommend another one of his books called: "Search for Significance" as it is referred to in this book and was a great inspiration and resource as well.

I love this book. I've never wanted to go to a Christian counselor but God blessed me with www.drdavidcox.com. He recommended the book to deal with past issues with my father and it has shown me father god's love with such a passion (http://www.shilohplace.org and http://www.fathersloveletter.com). Also if you want this book really bad try http://www.mcgeepublishing.com -- they sell it also. I highly recommend this book for anyone who was abandoned, alone, strove to please, or never could get enough of their father's love. We need to advocate to get this book published again!

Elliott does extremely well in providing an introduction to the problem of female sexual abuse of children, and walking the reader through to an understanding of some of the social impediments faced in addressing it as such. While becoming something of an ageing work, this remains an excellent primer for students and professionals in the field of sexual abuse of children.

Carl Friesen, Director - Abilene / Taylor County Child Advocacy Center
Abilene Police Department, TX.

It's lucky that this book is so comprehensive, because it's one of the few books available on this topic. The small publishing house Safer Society (VT) carries some of the only books on this topic.

A real eye opener. Great intro to each chapter preparing you for the content. Serves as a warning to make sure you are ready for what it is about to say. Great job on a difficult subject.