For men or women overcoming sexual abuse:
Websites
www.1in6.org This site is focused on helping men who were abused as boys and the for the family and friends who are also looking to support him. This site has been the most help for me.
www.malesurvivor.org This is an incredibly helpful message board with facilitators for anyone who needs someone to speak with. This site also includes discussions between abuse survivors. There’s a range of men, from those who have just thought about their past abuse for the first time and need to tell someone, to men who have been in therapy and well into their recovery for decades. It has something for everyone and it’s the best place to make your realize you’re not alone – and you’re very normal.
www.RAINN.org The benefit of this site is that it is an online hotline to report any sort of abuse.
www.darkness2light.org This site is focused on the prevention of childhood sexual abuse. It shows you steps you can take to educate your children, their teachers, or you as parents. You can also become a national facilitator for this program – something my family members and I have considered doing one day.
http://www.imavictim.com Heath Evans, survivor and FB for the Superbowl Champion New Orleans Saints, started a Foundation to raise awareness of childhood sexual abuse and to find ways to prevent abuse. This site provides a place for survivors to anonymously post their story of abuse. It is a wonderful site to find out how many of us there are – we are definitely not alone.
Books
Victims No Longer To this point, I haven’t found a better book for my situation. It focuses on the male incest survivor, and it’s written by a psychologist who specializes in the topic. It’s accurate, well written, and empowering. It’s a key part of my recovery right now.
Abused Boys This book has been incredibly helpful for me and my family. Since it is focused on boys, it covers the specific issues that men face as adults – somewhat different from what women will face. It also includes many stories that help validate what you are feeling.
I Never Told Anyone This has a pretty good collection of stories, mostly from women. It is an older book but my therapist swears by it and suggests it for most of her patients at the beginning of therapy.
Playing with Fire This book saved my butt. Written by pro hockey player Theo Fleury, it’s actually more hockey than abuse stories, but it does a good job of connecting with people who are in the early stages of facing what happened.
Killing Willis I haven’t read this but it was just released by Todd Bridges, from Diff’rent Strokes. It details his painful journey.
Searching for Angela Shelton This is a documentary, and I have only watched the trailer, but it follows a woman, Angela Shelton on a journey across America to confront her past.
Therapy Related Resources
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). This is the technique that I will be using in therapy. It is commonly accepted and is known to be the best therapy for men overcoming sexual abuse trauma.
Therapists This link is the best resource that I have found for shopping for the right therapist. I don’t know if I have the right therapist, but this guide will help make sure you get in the right hands for you.
For partners, family and friends looking to support someone overcoming sexual abuse
Websites
www.1in6.org (Male survivors only) This site is a great resource for family and friends. It is well written and to the point. It also has a great resources section.
www.darkness2light.org Maybe a good way for a friend or family member to support the abused person in their life is by becoming a national facilitator for prevention of childhood sexual abuse
Books
Allies in Healing This book has helped my wife tremendously. My mom found it and sent it to her. It covers all of the feelings that a survivor is going through, and it also covers what a spouse of a survivor is feeling. It can be helpful to family members as well, but it is more focused on the spouse.
