For twenty-five percent of American youths, their chances of being “normal” will be altered by sexual abuse with one in four females and one in six males being sexually abused by the age of eighteen; furthermore, in eighty-five percent of the cases, the offender is one of their nice so-called “normal” friends, neighbors, or relatives. For these victims, the normal world is pierced by the assaults of a pedophile. Through no fault of their own, these youths are forced into a world of abnormality, secrecy, betrayal of innocence, and, sometimes, torturous sexual violations. Because of their victimization, the abused are on a one-way trip, transported to a world far away from the world of “normal.” They are banished from the kingdom of “normal.”
It is not without tears that this book has been written, and affecting a better understanding of sexual abuse in non-victims will not be a journey without tears. Many people do not know the facts, while others simply prefer to remain in the dark because reality is too unpleasant. Yet, without the help of non-victims (the so-called “normal” people) these victims – the injured sheep - - will surely suffer the aftereffects of abuse more severely because they feel freakish.
This book begins with my own story, as I feel obligated to paint the pages with my personal pain before asking my peers to put the blood of their trauma on paper. From our experiences, there are many obvious common threads in our behaviors, and also in our relationship with our Creator. These threads are interwoven into the pattern of our healing processes and are there for skillful spiritual activists to help mend the jagged rips caused by childhood sexual abuse.
Sherri Van Houten has completed both the Master of Divinity (cum laude) and Master of Sacred Theology degrees at Drew University’s Theological School, and she is presently pursuing doctoral studies in spirituality at Drew University’s Caspersen School of Graduate Studies. Ms. Van Houten is an adjunct professor of philosophy and comparative religion at colleges in the Northern New Jersey area. Ms. Van Houten also teaches the art of Oriental Dance at the Yoga-For-You Studio in Olde Lafayette Village, NJ, a position she regards with much reverence.
In addition to her scholastic pursuits, Ms. Van Houten is the founder of “The Champagne Girls, a New Jersey Non-Profit Organization of Entertainers.” The mission of this organization is to raise money for charity through putting on shows at nursing homes, weddings, parties (not bachelor parties), and holding four charity benefits a year. All proceeds from their “Motion With A Mission” shows are donated to charities that do not discriminate due to religious or cultural agendas of their own.
Ms. Van Houten has been affiliated with Parents Anonymous as a H.O.P.E.S. group facilitator for the past two years. Her future goal is to train potential spiritual activists in the arts of being healers to the injured sheep around them. Ms. Van Houten invites comments and questions, which can be addressed to sherri8910@prodigy.net.