Lost Innocence
A Daughter's Account of Love, Fear and Desperation
by
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Innocence is our innate birthright. It knows no cultural or religious boundaries, but is a precious gift to treasure and honor. It holds the magic of our youth and provides wings to explore. When taken away without permission through incest, it leaves a heart that is an empty shell, untrusting, shamed, fearful and stripped of self-esteem. Lives are shattered, wounds become deep. There is hope. Recovery is possible. Hearts can be restored. Innocence can be reclaimed. Lives can be rich and fulfilling. I know, because I am a woman who lived the despair of a lineage of incest, and I came out the other side: happy, healthy and whole. My story is shared to present the possibility for others to come out of their silence and discover the beauty of being alive again. My hope is that the shroud of secrecy in our society around the issue of incest be lifted, so we can begin a cultural healing that is long over due. The book is written from my perspective as a child, in a child’s language in order to capture the experience that was my reality at a young age. The book is also written with the hope that it will heighten individuals’, families’ and communities’ awareness to the prevalence of incest. The book is based on my life from the age of fifteen-months through sixteen. Just as my life seemed to unfold in three stages, so will the telling of my story through a series of three books: Lost Innocence, New Beginnings and Beyond Survival. Lost Innocence is the first in my trilogy.
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About the Book
Innocence is our innate birthright. It knows no cultural or religious boundaries, but it is a precious gift to treasure and honor. It holds the magic of our youth and provides wings to explore. When taken away without permission through incest, it leaves a heart that is an empty shell, untrusting, shamed, fearful and stripped of self-esteem. Lives are shattered, wounds become deep. There is hope. Recovery is possible. Hearts can be restored. Innocence can be reclaimed. Lives can be rich and fulfilling. I know, because I am a woman who lived the despair of a lineage of incest, and I came out the other side, happy, healthy and whole. My story is shared to present the possibility for others to come out of their silence and discover the beauty of being alive again. My hope is that the shroud of secrecy in our society around the issue of incest will be lifted, so we can begin a cultural healing that is long overdue. The book is written from my perspective as a child, in a child’s language in order to capture the experience that was my reality at a young age. The book is also written with the hope that it will heighten individuals’, families’, and communities’ awareness to the prevalence of incest. The book is based on my life from the age of fifteen-months through sixteen years. Just as my life seemed to unfold in three stages, so will the telling of my story through a series of three books: Lost Innocence, New Beginnings and Beyond Survival. Lost Innocence is the first in my trilogy.
About the Author
Cathy Brochu no longer lives her life shamed, fearful, isolated, or stripped of self-esteem. She speaks openly and honestly about her thirteen-year experience growing-up in an incestuous family. She has worked in the field of Child Welfare for more than twenty-eight years working directly with victims, perpetrators and families. She has heard the endless stories and cries for help. Cathy holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree, is a clinical hypnotherapist, and has been trained in acupuncture detoxification for alcoholism. In 1995, she was the recipient of the Women of Courage Award presented by the Syracuse Commission for Women for setting an example in overcoming the odds and speaking-out about incest. She has been featured in newspapers throughout Central New York for her work initiating and facilitating support groups for adult incest survivors. She also lectures to second-year medical students on the importance of knowing what to look for, what to ask, and what to do for a potential victim of child sexual abuse. She trains lay and professional human services staff in the area of child sexual abuse and has been the guest speaker for numerous nonprofit agencies. She has committed herself to empowering and strengthening individuals, families and communities to move beyond hopelessness to becoming leaders of their own lives. A portion of the proceeds through the selling of this book will be used to establish support groups within communities at no cost to the recipient. Cathy is currently working on the second part of her trilogy series, New Beginnings.