What about Her?

By Beth Van Dyke

Book Overview

This autobiographical work focuses on Beth Van Dyke's experience of abuse in a counseling relationship with the pastor of her church in which she calls for fairness for victims at least equalling... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1579210007
• ISBN13: 9781579210007
• Release Date: January 1997
• Publisher: Winepress Publishing
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 0.42 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.5" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

A Provocative Study

Those who are intimately acquainted with this kind of pain will immediately identify with the author's journey. In fact, the author's ability to identify and name these experiences is the outstanding contribution of this work. For the uninitiated, it is an eye-opening experience into this seldom revealed world.One of the key concepts here is betrayal. The very person who is entrusted with the care of souls becomes the wrecker of souls.She correctly points out that the road to recovery must be paved with trust, which is hard to come by after such a devastating betrayal.The author also correctly reflects the confusion of the Christian community in dealing with such a role reversal from their chosen leader. What do judgement and mercy look like in this situation? Whose rights take precedence? Can justice ever be achieved? One of the things I learned from this book is that the power structure of the church usually moves to protect its interest and investment in the professional clergy. This may be good damage control, but in my opinion it is not the justice that the scriptures demand.A provocative study, this should be required reading for all clergy and lay leaders. It should be the foundation for a congregation's plan for handling future similar incidents.

Riveting! The author speaks from experience.

What About Her is the best book I have read on clergy sexual abuse. The author tells about her true story with clarity and insight. It is easy to read and comforting for anyone who has been through this trauma or who knows somebody else who has lived with it. So much attention is focused on the abuser and why it all happened, but this book finally addresses the victim and asks - what about her?? If anyone should ask how any woman could be "duped" in this way, hand them a copy of this book! It belongs in every church library as well.

A book every survivor of clergy sexual abuse should read.

As a survivor of rabbinic sexual abuse, I read this book to gain further insights into my situation and take me further along the road to recovery. Although my violation took place in a synagogue, and the book is set in a church, I had no trouble identifying with the victim. This is a problem that occurs far too frequently in all different faiths, no religion is immune to clergy abuse. This book addresses the issue of misconduct, what can be done to help prevent this from happening, and what a congregation can do to help and support the victim, should abuse take place in their house of worship. The author also addresses the victims, letting them know that they are not alone and where to go to find assistance and safe counseling. This book was of immense help to me.