Press reviews for: Rebuilding Lives after Domestic Violence
CAFCASS
It is a well-structured book, with good chapter summaries and lists of key points at the end of each chapter, and a resource list of useful organisations and websites. The particular value of refuges and then social housing comes across throughout the book... The conclusions are life-affirming. All the women had developed a sense of personal worth, inner strengths and a determination to achieve, felt in control of their lives and able to take personal responsibility.
Therapy Today (http://www.therapytoday.net)
This is a longitudinal study of the effects of domestic violence and abuse on the lives of 12 women. They were interviewed first when they were in refuges, then six months later, then a few years after that. This is the book's unique selling point, as most studies cover a much shorter timescale... The author's respectful, acceptant and honest approach models the guiding principles of working with women whose self-esteem and sense of safety have been shattered by domestic violence and abuse... This is a really useful resource for inexperienced and trainee counsellors. It is written in clear and direct language and is well structured, with bulletpointed summaries at the end of each chapter and a useful list of organisations and their websites in an appendix... The closing chapters of the book- in which the women look forward to brighter futures- powerfully validate the work of services which do not give up on those who live with domestic violence and abuse, difficult and draining as the work may be.