After...: The Impact of Child Abuse

Description

'A kind, tough, brave, important little story ... it will be a godsend to so many people, grown, growing and very young' - Joanna Lumley OBE I want to talk about the things that are happening to you... to us. As a little girl, Libby Moore was sexually abused by someone she should have been able to trust. Sadly, her experience is not uncommon. Many vulnerable children find themselves trapped in similarly devastating situations. Abuse leaves indelible marks; Libby lives with severe low self-esteem that has affected her relationships, career and choices into adulthood. She wishes that she could have supported and comforted her younger self, and explained that even when darkness seems all around light still exists. After... is Libby's way of reaching out and reconnecting with her younger self - and to all other survivors of child abuse. Essential and heart-breaking, with powerful and expressive illustrations by acclaimed cartoonist Tony Husband, this is a compelling and universal personal story. It will comfort and inspire anyone who has suffered childhood violence and abuse, and act as a trusted, therapeutic resource. Full of sensitivity and understanding, it takes a clear-sighted look at how trauma can affect and shape us and explains how through self-compassion we can learn to embrace life and begin to live again.

Libby Moore (Author) Libby Moore is a pseudonym for an adult survivor of childhood sexual abuse. After... is her true story of learning to embrace the child lost inside her. Tony Husband (Illustrator) Tony Husband is a British cartoonist whose cartoons contain much black humour. His cartoons have appeared in many newspapers, magazines, books and websites, in several TV and theatrical productions, and are often found on humorous greeting cards, and he has a regular cartoon strip in Private Eye entitled Yobs, which has run from the late 1980s. He co-wrote the Round the Bend children's television series, which ran from 1989 to 1991. He was also involved with Hangar 17, which ran from 1992 to 1994. He and the poet Ian McMillan tour the UK regularly with their show A Cartoon History of Here, an evening of live, improvised poetry and cartoons. He has won The Cartoon Museum's Pont Award.

'A kind, tough, brave, important little story, so beautifully illustrated by Tony Husband and so powerfully told by Libby Moore. It will be a godsend to so many people, grown, growing and very young. It will help people to understand the trauma and shame that settles on the abused, and it offers guidance and comfort' - Joanna Lumley OBE 'Every survivor of childhood sexual abuse has his or her own journey to make in their recovery. I am sure that this great little book will help some begin that journey; for others it will become a thought-provoking companion for the steps along their way' - Donald Findlater, Director, Stop It Now! UK & Ireland 'Libby's journey with her 'little me' is a touching and important illustration of how you can break the shackles of the past and move on with your life. Libby realises that she doesn't have to let the past dictate her future and with the help of her inner child she sets a new and positive course. Every survivor of childhood abuse should read this book. Its power is in its simplicity' - National Association for People Abused in Childhood 'After... puts across the feelings of self-hatred and the negative thinking which can stay with someone when they've experienced traumatic events in their childhood. However, I love the fact that it has a positive message about moving forward and tackling those negative thoughts and feelings. Recovery is hard, and can take a long time, but the process is a vital one if people are to reclaim their lives after trauma. The book also touches a little on the feelings of guilt which are common and some of the hidden and uncomfortable feelings which abuse victims confront as part of their recovery. I think that someone who has suffered abuse would certainly identify with the character(s) in the book and feel understood' - Linda Wilson, General Manager/CEO, Moodswings, Manchester 'Poignant, powerful and beautifully told with thoughtful and sensitive illustrations. I had goosebumps reading it' - Dr Fiona Wardell, Standards Lead, Healthcare Improvement Scotland 'For many children who are currently or previously part of the care system, anything that supports them to move forward with their life and begin to recover from experiences in their early years is a significant and positive help. Congratulations to Libby for creating this powerful, brave story and to Tony for his sensitive illustrations. The combination is a very moving and impactful book which will undoubtedly be a huge help to many' - Anonymous adoptive parent