These books and videos have all been read, reviewed, and discussed by advocates on the Wichita Area Sexual Assault Center team.

In this essay by Roxane Gay, Gay deconstructs the argument that sexual violence is an act of careless love and rather a deliberate act of violence.

TW: Mention of Sexual Violence and rape

The Faith Trust Institute has compiled a list of FAQ and their answers.

TW: Mention of Rape and Sexual Violence

Know My Name: A Memoir is a 2019 memoir by American author Chanel Miller. In it, Miller writes about being sexually assaulted in January 2015, as well as the aftermath and subsequent court case People v. Turner.

Catherine, one of the founders of Lux, very strongly recommends reading this book.

Dear Sister by Lisa Factora-Borchers shares the lessons, memories, and vision of over fifty artists, activists, mothers, writers, and students who share their stories of survival or what it means to be an advocate and ally to survivors. Written in an epistolary format, this multi-generational, multi-ethnic collection of letters and essays is a moving journey into the hearts and minds of the survivors of rape, incest, and other forms of sexual violence, written directly to and for other survivors.

This guide by Helen Benedict offers the survivors of rape and their friends and relatives a body of knowledge drawn from social workers and social scientists on the short-and long-term effects of rape. It includes details of AIDS, date rape, rape crisis programs, rape shelters and other social resources.”

A woman is raped in this country every two minutes; this guide by Aphrodite Matsakis provides an effective framework for victims to heal from the experience. If you are a survivor of sexual assault, you may be suffering from symptoms of depression, substance abuse, an eating disorder, panic and anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Rape Recovery Handbook provides an effective framework in which you can heal.

From tragedy to triumph, inspiring lessons unfold in this one-of-a-kind book by twelve survivors of sexual assault penned by Michael Domitrz. An eye-opening journal of personal growth and recovery, Voices of Courage will forever change your perspective on life after a sexual assault. All proceeds benefit organizations addressing sexual assault.

In these pages by Anne K. Ream you’ll meet a community of rape and sexual violence survivors who have been shaped, but refuse to be defined, by their histories of violence. They are brave, and they are outspoken—but, mostly, they are hopeful. From its insistently resolute opening essay to its final, deeply moving story, Lived Through This is a book that defies conventional wisdom about life in the wake of sexual violence, while putting names and faces on an issue that too often leaves its victims silent and invisible.

It has only been in the last decade or so that men who have experienced sexual trauma have been added to the discussion about sexual abuse and assault. The topic has more recently become recognized, particularly with the revelations of several well-known survivors, among them basketball player Keyon Dooling, hockey player Theo Fleury, and actor Tyler Perry. They have all told their stories. There are countless other stories out there about ordinary people who have survived similar abuse, but most of them remain untold. Empty Playground is a memoir that shares the journey from childhood sex abuse through the struggle to cope with the repercussions and into recovery and healing. It is a story often lived but not often told as men, both gay and straight, are so reluctant to speak about their abuse and often stay silent about their emotions as well. In Empty Playground, Callen Harty recounts his experiences with an unflinching directness and gentle honesty.

Alexandra Allred, the author of this practical guide to awareness and debunking common myths, writes eloquently on taking back the narrative on your experiences, as well as deeply diving into how to understand rape and assault culture. This book is wonderful for survivors and allies alike.

Emma Grace, one of the founders of Lux, strongly recommends reading this book.

“Race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, migration status, religion, and numerous other cultural factors play important roles in recovery from traumatic events. However, survivors of abuse, dislocation, disease, racism and other forms of trauma are often treated only as individuals rather than as people with diverse beliefs and cultural affiliations. Thema Bryant-Davis examines the cultural issues that health-care professionals need to consider in caring for trauma survivors.”

Much of what is written about abuse and the Bible focuses on the ways Scripture is used to hurt rather than heal. This accessibly written book provides a muchneeded perspective, illuminating the good news of healing and liberation that the Bible offers survivors of sexual abuse. As a theologian and survivor of abuse herself, Elaine Heath handles this sensitive topic with compassion and grace. She offers a close reading of several biblical passages that have proven to be profoundly healing for her and for other survivors. The book is illustrated with stories and insights from sexual abuse survivors who have experienced healing through the Bible in order to bring hope and encouragement to victims. It will be welcome reading for those who have suffered from abuse as well as for pastors, counselors, therapists, and others who minister to them. Each chapter ends with two sets of reflection questions and recommended activitiesone set for survivors and another for those who journey with them.

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, the authors of this book are uniquely qualified to address the healing process of male survivors.

Using the metaphor of a car accident, Naming Our Abuse leads the survivor from the Wreck to the Accident Report to Rehabilitation to Driving Again. This four-step model illustrates that healing is a process to be nurtured rather than something that can be healed in a single telling. Following the authors' examples, readers are invited to find solidarity with other male survivors and develop an understanding of their own wounding through journaling exercises.