From Sorrows To Sapphires by Angela Williams
Book Review Written by Theresa Harvard Johnson
“Few men are willing to brave the disapproval of their fellows, the censure of their colleagues, the wrath of their society. Moral courage is a rarer commodity than bravery in battle or great intelligence. Yet it is the one essential, vital quality of those who seek to change a world which yields most painfully to change.” – Robert F. Kennedy, 1966
If you have ever experienced childhood sexual abuse then you know how devastating, debilitating and overwhelmingly shameful the effects of it can be. If you have deeply loved someone who has been a victim of this horrendous crime, then you might have witnessed firsthand how its effects can spill over into every possible aspect of their lives and relationships. You might also recognize that one essential, vital quality – courage – that is required to break the silence and begin that journey to freedom.
Angela Williams, an international child sexual abuse advocate, exemplifies that vital quality. Amid immense opposition, she boldly and honestly shared her 20 year journey of forgiveness, recovery and healing from incest at the hands of her stepfather in her book, From Sorrows To Sapphires. In her compelling story, she confronts secrecy, generational strongholds and taboos in families and within our society that demand that victims – boys, girls, men and women – remain silent regardless of the cost to their grieving, psychologically tortured souls; or the obvious, deadly effects of allowing a childhood sexual predator to remain hidden, protected.
Williams’ stepfather began abusing her at age 3 – emotionally, physically and sexually. Her abuser often silenced her by threatening to harm her mother if she ever told. Statistics show that threats against other family members or loved ones is a common strategy used by child sexual predators to silence them. The abuse continued in secret for 14 years until a failed suicide attempt forced her to expose her family’s darkest secret. Though there were numerous hardships that ran on the tails of her disclosure, the moment she broke her silence was the beginning of her healing journey and her abuser could no longer hide in the shadows.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics, 15 percent of sexual assault and rape victims are under the age of 12; and 29 percent are between 12 and 17. The Center for Disease Control estimates that approximately one in four girls; and one in six boys are sexually abused before the age of 18. The American Psychological Association reports that children with disabilities are at an elevated risk of abuse, particularly, if disability impairs their perceived credibility, e.g., blindness, deafness and/or mental retardation.
These statistics, however, only provide a glimpse of the magnitude of this very present, and growing national and international epidemic. The National Center for Victims of Crime and Crime Victims Research and Treatment reports that 29 percent of all forcible rapes occur when victims are less than 11 years old. Of that number, 11 percent are raped by their fathers or stepfathers; and another 16 percent by other relatives.
The overall theme of From Sorrows To Sapphires is simple: “We must break our silence concerning child sexual abuse.” Williams is challenging our individuals, families and our society as a whole to create environments in which there is not only an acute awareness of the evil of sexual abuse; but one that fosters a “no tolerance” stand on the issue and an environment that encourages victims to disclose their abuse and heal. Williams states emphatically in the book that she is on a mission to “expose the secrecy” – giving these abusers nowhere to hide. She also writes that it is her passion to help set fellow survivors free from their desperate silence; to help them invite God into the darkest places of their hearts; and to walk with them on their healing journey.”
As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and a woman of faith, I found this book to be overwhelmingly empowering. It offers significant insight into the emotional and psychological struggles of survivors in a way that not only leads them out of darkness; but helps their loved ones better understand the challenges they face.
Another unique aspect of From Sorrows To Sapphires is that each chapter begins with pages from Williams’ personal journal. The reader catches glimpses of her conversations with God spanning several years. Personally, I found myself overwhelmed by her candid conversation, heartfelt honesty and the many defining moments that led to her transformation from victim to survivor to victor.
Those may have been her personal journal entries between the pages of this book, but she was writing through the eyes of millions who have gone before her; are coming after her; and who are standing on the brink of their breakthrough even now.
From Sorrows To Sapphires is written with such compassion and simplicity. While Williams unashamedly shares her life with the reader, the discussion of the abuse doesn’t overwhelm them with the horrific tragedy of the acts – dragging them into torment. Instead, the reader is pulled into the loving arms of the Father where they enter a place of resuscitation, revival and a tremendous hope for the future. I believe readers will be in awe of her expression of God’s power to heal through the pages of this book. Yet, the reader will not be overwhelmed by religiosity or a long list of healing steps. It is clear, at least to me, that Williams understands that everyone’s healing process – though similar – can be very, very different.
From Sorrows To Sapphires concludes with a simple, yet powerful plea to invite Christ into one’s healing process; a prayer of forgiveness that pushes the survivor forward; and some practical steps and resources.
By far, this is one of the best personal, practical accounts I have read on this subject. I would highly recommend this book not only for survivors of child sexual abuse, but for those who have a heart to help them heal.
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Angela Williams is the Founder and CEO of VOICE Today. She received a bachelor of arts in journalism from Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA. Angela is a trained facilitator for Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Programs, the author of From Sorrows To Sapphires, Pathway to Healing and “Tough Talk To Tender Hearts,” a child advocate, and an international speaker on child sexual abuse prevention and healing. She is passionate about breaking the silence of child sexual abuse and saving the next generation of children. Angela recently appeared on CNN’s In Session TV and Headline News educating adults on prevention and the healing journey for a survivor of child sexual abuse. She also serves in an advisory role to the Georgia Center for Child Advocacy. For more information, visit http://voicetoday.org
BOOK INFO:
From Sorrows To Sapphires
Paperback: 308 pages
Publisher: Paracomm Media (2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 097608760X
ISBN-13: 978-0976087601
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.7 x 8.5 inches
Purchase: Voice Today Website
