My book is aimed at anyone who has experienced trauma such as physical abuse, mental abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, racial abuse, foster care, children’s homes, narcissistic family members, Crohn’s disease, social anxiety, panic attacks, complicated PTSD, abortion, neglect, homelessness, poverty, negative childhood programming, suicide or loss of a twin. This book will also be of interest for people curious about personal development, self-help and healing. It’s ability to help others will be most significantly found in those who have a growth mind-set.
This book is not for those who grew up in loving, stable environments, who don’t realise or notice how things come effortlessly to them. All things. Social interactions seem simpler, jobs come easier, friendships happen more naturally, expressing feelings feels safe and feeling ‘normal’ in the world is a given. Those who come from trauma experience a different version of the world. Social interactions are harder, uncomfortable even. A lack of trust inhibits friendships. Relationships of all kinds seem harder. Especially love relationships. Authorative figures appear threatening. Drive and motivation can be lacking, a sort of “what’s the point” attitude.
Additionally my book is for those who currently don’t receive mainstream therapy. Trauma can feel shameful and not openly or easily discussed. Especially by those who are socially anxious or suffer from panic attacks. Having access to the healing and methods in my book will help those not ready to share their experiences just yet. It is for those looking for a bit of inspirational relief or those who need an extra boost of support and belief that they really do have all the power to change their lives and heal from the past. My story will show the reader that healing is possible regardless of how damaged one might feel.
My primary audience is those who’ve suffered child abuse. Police Scotland describe child abuse as any action, which causes harm to a child by another person. The majority of the time, a child will be abused by someone they know and trust. This includes sexual, physical or psychological abuse. Police Scotland also indicates a lack of love, attention and care as child abuse, affirming that neglect can be just as harmful. The Metropolitan Police state that physical abuse, mental abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect are the four main types of child abuse. Globally, it is estimated that up to 1 billion children aged 2–17 years, have experienced physical, sexual, or emotional violence or neglect according to the WHO. Those who have suffered abuse feel heavy shame and low self-worth. They struggle to form healthy relationships and build stable futures. Reading my story will instil profound emotion and deep rapport while the reader journeys with me through my own experiences of abuse. The courage and bravery to overcome their own wounds will be ignited within them as they travel with me along my path of healing.
The precise number of children who experience sexual abuse in the UK is unknown. Sexual assault is frequently covered up. The child may be too young, too frightened, or too ashamed to tell anybody what is happening to them. However, according to a study by the NSPCC, one in 20 youngsters in the UK are believed to have experienced sexual abuse. My book will help those to find methods of healing without having to disclose what’s happened to them if they don’t feel ready. One in 9 girls and 1 in 53 boys under the age of 18 experience sexual abuse or assault at the hands of an adult according to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN). Of those victims, 82% are female. RAINN reports that victims of sexual abuse are four times more likely to develop symptoms of drug abuse, four times more likely to experience PTSD and three times more likely to experience major depressive episodes as a result of their abuse. The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) discloses that internationally at least 120 million females under the age of 20, or almost 1 in 10, have been forced to have sex or engage in other sexual actions. Although the true number is probably far higher because a large number of sexual assault victims never come forward. My deeply moving story will speak to the readers’ innermost sufferings and help them process and come to terms with their own abusive pasts.
My secondary audience is those who have lost a family member or friend to suicide. Those who are seeking ways to deal with their loss and grief will find comfort in my healing process. Risk factors for suicide include abuse, violence, trauma and depression. The Office for National Statistics reports that in England 5219 suicides were registered in 2021which is 307 more than in 2020. In Wales 347 suicides were registered in 2021 which is 62 more than in 2020. In Scotland 753 suicides were registered in 2021which is 52 fewer than in 2020 but the female suicide rate has increased since 2017. In Northern Ireland 219 suicides were registered in 2020. This is 14 more than the last data reported in 2019. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) declares suicide to be a major public health concern stating it is among the leading causes of death in the United States. They claim the recent mortality data suggests that suicide is on the rise. Worldwide suicide is the fourth most common cause of death for those aged 15 to 29 years old. Moving through the grief of losing my twin, the person I loved more than anyone in the world, will strengthen the resolve of anyone who feels they can’t go on after the loss of someone close to them. My story will show them that life truly does go on after death and that every single one of us is far stronger than we believe.
A third audience is for those who have lost a twin. Studies on both identical and fraternal twins report that the loss of a twin hurts longer and more intensely, than the loss of anyone else. “Once a twin, always a twin,” according to Dr. Raymond Brandt, who founded the Twinless Twins Support groups in 1986. A study reported in the British Medical Journal revealed that twins have a substantially lower suicide rate compared to the general population most likely due to their strong bond that helps twins find life more meaningful and worth living. Moreover, the researchers found that whether the twins were identical or fraternal twins, male or female, the same level of protection was found. Losing a twin is a devastating life event. Unless you are a twin, you cannot really appreciate the strength of this unique bond. It is a deep and special connection, which begins at conception and continues to develop after birth. There are common identities and milestones. They are lifelong companions, inherently best friends for life. When one twin passes away, the remaining twin is left alone for the first time and often experiences survivors’ guilt. Both therapists and twins have expressed how those who aren’t twins seem unable to appreciate the profound loss and complexity of twin bereavement. “Twins need to reach out to twins who have the same experience so that they can end their isolation,” said Mary R. Morgan, a New York therapist and an expert in twin bereavement. She went on to say “When twinless twins get together, they seem to sense and trust each other immediately, enabling them to move forward in the healing process.” For those who have lost a twin my book will help them to feel understood and validated in their grieving process.
A fourth audience is those who have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease and are looking for alternative ways to heal rather than going the surgical route. IBD affects approximately 3.1 million adults in the United States. The Lancet peer-reviewed medical journal published findings in 2019 stating IBD is a global, regional and national burden in 195 countries and territories. In 2017, there were 6·8 million cases of IBD globally and these numbers are continuing to rise. According to the National Library of Medicine, Crohn’s disease affects 100 to 300 people out of every 100,000 people. It occurs most frequently in Western Europe and North America. This condition now affects more than half a million Americans. My book will help those suffering from IBD to know they are not alone and there are many alternative routes to healing rather than relying on mainstream medicine alone.
Another market is those who have experienced foster care, residential institutions or children’s homes. Fostering statistics, taken March 2021 report that in England 57,380 children were living with foster families, in Northern Ireland 2,857 children were living with foster families and in Wales 5,070 children were living with foster families. For Scotland data from July 2021 reports that 4,500 children were living with foster families. In the United States, more than 400,000 children are now being cared for by foster parents, according to the most recent official statistics. The UK government reports that out of 12 million children in England, 80,000 of these children are currently children in care. National statistics for fostering and adoption declare that approximately 103,000 children in the UK are cared for outside of their home and another 35,000 children will enter the care system this year. That’s 95 children every day. Wales has the highest percentage of looked-after children living away from home in the whole UK with 115 per 10,000 of the population under 18 years old. Scotland has a somewhat lower rate of 104 per 10,000. While the rates in Northern Ireland and England are significantly lower at 80 per 10,000 and 67 per 10,000, respectively. There are between 2 and 8 million children in residential care worldwide. The wide variation in estimates is due to the number of residential care facilities that operate outside country registration systems and the absence of data systems able to reliably track the number of children living in care. The use of residential care for vulnerable children appears to be increasing globally, according to the evidence. I have witnessed too many people in care suffer at the hands of their traumatic pasts. The majority of people I lived with in the children’s homes are either dead, in jail or drug addicts now. I have personally known so many people within the care system who have died from various things including drug overdoses, alcoholism, depression and/or suicide. The most tragic one being the loss of my twin. My book aims to show people alternative ways to dealing with their trauma’s so that they can choose pathways that lead to fulfilling, happy and free lives.
You can visit my website via this link: https://www.thureyaroberts.com/
You can visit my personal YouTube channel via this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIwHgYaBcqIGV7GIDrBS9nw
You can visit my ‘Body Talks’ YouTube channel via this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcv9AXaBUAIVmeoDAM5bZpw
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