Child sexual abuse: reading for children and young people

This section offers a selection of helpful resources on child sexual abuse and materials for children to read or hear. 

All these resources are available on loan from the Women’s Support Project. You can also request books through your local library.

Download this resource list in pdf format. [57kb]

Books for younger children

Annie
By Red Flag Green Flag, USA, 1997
Annie is a story booklet about a little girl who is afraid to tell anyone when she is touched by someone in a way she doesn`t like.

Got to be me
By Merill Harmin
Pub. Argus Communications, 1976
A colouring book for children which gives children a chance to write about their feelings and thoughts.

I told my secret
a book for kids who were abused
By Eliana Gill
Pub. Launch Press, USA, 1986
This book will help parents/carers answer possible questions from children who have been abused.

Mousie
By Khadj Rouf
Pub. The Children`s Society, London, 1989
Illustrated storybook for children 4-9 years, written by a survivors of abuse. Good

My book my body
Pub. The Children`s Society, London 1989
A colouring book for children aged 4-11 which aims to help children talk about their feelings

Rabbit`s golden rule book
By Pam Adams
Pub. Child`s Play (International) Ltd, 1988
This story poses lots of relevant questions for children, the answers to which are the golden rules for keeping safe. Particular relevant for very young children

Secrets
By Khadj Rouf
Pub. The Children`s Society, London, 1989
An account of sexual abuse within a family told in illustrations. The author who was herself abused, is of mixed race and has produced two versions of the story, one featuring a black family and the other white.

Something happened and I`m scared to tell: A book for young victims of abuse
By Patricia Kehoe
Pub. Parenting Press Inc., USA, 1987
A story for younger children which can help them speak out if they have been abused . It looks at what abuse is, secrets, who to tell, and also good touches. The is best used with the book "Helping abused children”

Something happened to me
By Phyllis E. Sweet
Pub. Mother Courage Press, USA, 1986
A story about children who feel bad, different and scared because something has happened, The story tells how children felt better after they told someone and were able to talk. This book is good in that it does not give any details of what happened so children can use the story to fit in with their own experiences.

 Willow Street kids, The
By Michele Elliot
Pub. Bedford Square Press/NCVO, London, 1986
A collection of stories designed to help children deal safely
with potentially dangerous situations.

Books for young people

Free from sexual violence - information pack for girls and young women
Pub. Strathclyde Rape Crisis Centre, 1992
This pack covers: questions and answers about abuse; myths; feelings and coping and going forward. Excellent for survivors, helpers and friends

Hear! we are!
By Young Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse
Pub. Dundee Rape Crisis Centre Young Women`s Group, 1995
Collection of poems written by young people.

Hurting inside: a book for young people
By Lois Arnold & Anne Magill
Pub. The Basement Project, Abergavenny, 1998
This book is for young people who have experienced distress due sexual, physical or emotional abuse. Covers feelings, problems with family, relationships, sexuality, self esteem and self harm. Also has a chapter on making a better life for yourself.

Out in the open: a guide for young people who have been sexually abused
By Ouaine Bain & Maureen Sanders
Pub. Virago Press, London, 1988
Very useful book whether for teenagers or adults. Positive and helpful and covers the main issues

Shining through pulling it together after sexual abuse
for girls aged 10 and up
By Mindy B. Loiselle & Leslie Bailey Wright
Pub. Safer Society Press, USA, 1997
A very useful guide for young girls to help them explore their feelings. Could also help women understand the feelings they had as children. The book covers: feelings, coping, relationships, therapy, self esteem, body image.

Novels

Cherie
By Ann Bailey
Pub. Faber & Faber, 1994
Suzy and her father return home one night to discover that their house has been burgled and Cherie - Suzy`s younger sister has been raped. Struggling with their own guilt at having left Cherie in the house alone, they attempt to resume their lives as if nothing has changed.

Happy endings are all alike
By Sandra Scopperttone
Pub. Pan, London, 1987
Follows the story of two young women who fall in love, and the effect of a rape attack on one, by a teenage boy they know. Touches on the difficulties of telling and being believed when you are raped by an acquaintance.

Pinballs, The
By Besty Byers
Pub. Puffin Books, London, 1988
Callie, Harvey and Thomas J. are foster children from different homes, but all have one thing in common, like pinballs with no control where they bounce. A story of young people`s confusion on finding themselves uprooted from familiar, if problematic situations.

Push me, pull me
By Sandra Chick
Pub. The Womenʼs press, London, 1987
Story of a young girl who is raped by her stepfather. Describes how this abusive behaviour makes it almost impossible for the girl to feel close to her mother.