Description: This practical handbook invites the reader to embark on a journey of healing through the Scriptures where they will learn to listen to their personal story narrated by a loving God, empowering them to work through the issues of sexual abuse. It also offers insight for spiritual and pastoral care workers, family and friends and other supporters.
Brief description: 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 Quotes:
I really like Child Arise! The courage to stand and will review it for the next Tinteán 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, Tinteán
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