Titled "Writing to Heal from Rape," the book is described by the authors as a practical guide for women recovering from rape, as well as their friends, families, and counselors. It is also designed for use in college courses, workshops, and conferences to educate professionals and the public about rape and recovery.
Betts and Russ are Co-Directors of the Healing Ourselves Project which is designed to help women who are recovering from rape through their writing workshops. They combined their knowledge and skills as writers, teachers, and advocates for women and their families to create the unique book with interactive and dynamic writing activities to facilitate the healing process. The authors point out that rape is a topic that many people avoid talking about because they feel uncomfortable and embarrassed. However, Betts and Russ feel strongly that fear and silence give power to the rapists.
"Talking and writing are tools to empower women and to help them recover from trauma," Betts said. "Women and their families desperately need advocacy, compassion, and understanding. The purpose of our book is to help women, their families, and friends understand that they are not alone and to show them that women can recover from this devastating experience. Women need to realize they are rape survivors."
Betts and Russ note that writing can be an effective strategy for healing from trauma. The book includes a collection of powerful and revealing stories written by victims of rape, women who reveal intimate details of their individual struggles to transform themselves from rape victims to rape survivors.
The book also includes a history of rape in the United States, a case study, teaching strategies, writing activities, poetry, and resources to support the journey toward understanding and healing.
More information on the book and the "Healing Ourselves Project" conducted by Betts and Russ is available on their website at www.healingourselvesproject.com or by calling Betts at (209) 667-3793.