I remember the first time I heard someone talk about exploitation and human trafficking. It was then I realized, "OMG, that's what I went through!" Leaving the Life engages you in a story much like our own, encourages you to consider other options, and empowers you to dream of a different, better life. Rebecca Bender, Foreword--------------------------------------------------Book Excerpt Mary saw the bruising around my eye. "Did AJ hit you again?""No, of course not," I said, reaching up to touch my tender face."Are you sure? Looks like it." Mary stared at my black eye. It made me uncomfortable."It was my own fault," I finally said. "I didn't get a very big tip last night. And I passed out before he could send me somewhere else."Mary nodded as if to say, been there, done that, then said, "It happens."I walked to my room and stared at the girl in the mirror. Her face seemed thin and almost hollow. Her eyes had circles around them and looked darker than I remembered. I tried to make her smile, but she wasn't able to...I couldn't sleep because I was lying in bed with my heart on fire. I hadn't felt this way since the first few nights my stepdad came into my room all those years ago. After each time, I would spend the rest of the night trying to contain all the awful feelings pouring out of me. I would hold my knees to my chest, knowing that if I let the feelings out, everyone would know my shame.--------------------------------------------------About the Book Have you felt desperate, discouraged, overwhelmed and confused? Have you been in a harmful relationship where you have experienced exploitation and abuse? Has your life gone in a different direction than you expected or wanted? If so, this book is for you. In Elsa's story, you might find many similarities between what you have experienced and what she has survived-vulnerabilities, abuse, regrets, bad relationships, drugs, violence, emotional turmoil, fear, anger, self-blame, self-hatred, and more. Yet your past does not need to define your future. You can leave. Help and hope are available.-------------------------------------------------- About the Authors. Dr. Becca, Jessa, and Karalyn are a unique team - a psychologist, survivor and writer. These justice-seekers and heart-helpers want to encourage you to find freedom.

Meditations and Reflections to Help End Codependence “In 200 short, straightforward daily lessons illustrating the many forms that detachment can take in one’s life. Casey’s latest is an easy reference guide for those seeking recovery or peace.” —Publishers Weekly #1 New Release in Personality Disorders and Twelve-Step Programs Do you ever feel like you might be giving other people too much power over your mood? Do you find yourself feeling immobilized by expectations and demands? The cure for facing codependence, says Karen Casey, is detachment. Control your life by letting go. When we remove codependent behavior from our lives, we discover a life of balance and freedom. Whether you find yourself tempted to become enmeshed in other people’s problems or rushing to their rescue, Casey reminds us to stop controlling behavior —that we cannot control anyone or anything beyond ourselves. What is codependency and detachment? Inside, you’ll find gems of insight for every stage of your codependence recovery journey. Through 200 recovery meditations and reflections, Casey explores how to set boundaries, control emotions, face attachment issues in adults, and more. Inspirational and easy to read, Let Go Now guides us away from taking care of others, and toward taking care of ourselves. If you’re looking for a codependent book or an attachment book —like Melody Beattie books,The Power of Letting Go Codependent No More, or TheLanguage of Letting Go book —you’ll love Let Go Now.

Unfuck Your Abuse is a book that teaches you how to embrace your inner child, heal from past trauma, and live a life of joy. It’s for people who have been sexually abused or otherwise traumatized as children, but it also helps anyone who wants to improve their relationships with others and themselves. You learn how to love yourself again after being abused by other people or by the abuse you did to yourself. It’s about learning how to be happy again after years of feeling sad, anxious, depressed. This book leans on my first book Finding Your Own Voice, which was the first book I ever wrote. Here I dive even deeper. It’s raw, honest and intended for you to learn, heal and shake off the past!

While our culture places great emphasis on comfort, security, control, and success, there are deeper rewards for those who take hold of God’s promises and reach out in the Name of Christ. Adventure, faith, miracles, and a deep knowledge of Jesus Christ. This is what Susie calls her readers to realize. Author/Speaker Susie Larson makes her message graspable, accessible, and doable. Her stories, scriptural devotionals, and study questions set the stage for a first-hand experience of God’s heart for personal freedom, for the plight of the suffering, and for a conviction to get involved with His work among those in need. While the book’s primary focus is on the reader’s journey into freedom, it clearly conveys our shared responsibility to “seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, [and] plead for the widow” (Isaiah 1:17, nrsv). This is God’s expectation for those who truly know Him. When we live in bondage to our fears, insecurities, shame, guilt, despair, or sinful appetites, we live self-focused lives. But when we embrace our freedom in Christ, our hearts are released from captivity and we view everything around us—our relationships, resources, responsibilities, and opportunities—as tools to bring that same freedom to those who desperately need it. This book is for the woman who wants to grow stronger in her walk of faith and who wants to gain a greater view of God’s heart for the world. And it’s to this we are called. May she be provoked, to be as free as God meant her to be. And as a result, may she become an advocate for the freedoms of others. Each chapter includes devotional insights, justice quotes, anecdotes, prayer guidance, and study/reflective questions.

Every year, more than 300,000 youth are victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation across the United States. What's scarcely known is that Black Girls are disproportionately 'at risk' of being trafficked and their stories often go untold for reasons far more complicated than mere reporting, or statistical oversight. She was given the opportunity to escape the abusive and tumultuous home life and faced with the prospect of meeting some of the biggest and most influential names in the music industry. She was presented with the possibility of creating "the life she always wanted," 16-year-old Keeya found herself on a Greyhound bus to Atlanta Georgia in the Spring of 1992. Lured into a life of debauchery and exploitation that would leave her hollow and disaffected for years to come; she survived!One of the most harrowing accounts of the reality of juvenile abuse and victimization ever told, One Thousand Elsewhere takes you into a world where innocence is traded for survival; where trust is sacrificed on the altar of instinct, and where love and safety are dreams scarcely obtained. Few have come out of the shadows to tell their truth, and fewer even would dare divulge the kind of raw and unforgettable details shared here by Keeya Vawar. In this brave account of a survival story, Keeya leaves readers mesmerized and on the edge of their seats as she details the incredible twists and turns on the unforgettable path that led to ultimate freedom. One Thousand Elsewhere will etch an indelible inscription on the walls of the heart and soul of anyone who dares to indulge in this triumphant true story!

The Weinstein affair in Hollywood has grabbed the headlines for months. Controlling behaviour, particularly of men towards women, is far more common, in all walks of life, than we have been led to believe. In this easy-to-read guide, best-selling author Don Hennessy offers advice to all those dealing with violent or controlling behaviour in their own lives, based on his experience of dealing with hundreds of such people in a therapeutic setting. Most important, he explains to the reader how they can throw off the shackles and live lives free from fear and intimidation.

The Journey to Hope is for the many - far too many - who have experienced physical, sexual, or emotional abuse and neglect. It is a journey of healing for those of us who have been hurt, abused, belittled, or shamed; who have felt betrayed, blamed or confused. Everyone's story is unique. Some are able to describe their abuse, while others struggle to find words to explain what happened. No matter where you are or what happened, your story matters. The path towards healing can be painful and incredibly challenging at times. The Journey to Hope will guide you in navigating and persevering through the pain. As you face the past abuse, you will be free to move forward unencumbered by the pain and shame others have caused. As healing begins, life-giving hope returns. If you seek healing, hope and a life restored, The Journey to Hope is for you. More... The journey to Hope was written to help those who have suffered from abuse, neglect or trauma. It was also written for friends, family and professionals who want to understand and to help. The author writes, "I once led a 10-week support group for those who had been sexually abused. During our first two weeks I told everyone that they would have the opportunity to share their story during the last two weeks (this is what therapists refer to as the Trauma Narrative, considered key to healing). When week 9 arrived and I asked who would like to share, only one person volunteered. So, for the last session I compiled various checklists related to the who, what, why, when and how of abuse - checklists that provided the words to describe, explain and express what had happened. Once they were given these and completed them, everyone in the group decided to share." Woven within the pages of this book are many of the steps considered essential in trauma recovery. You chose how involved you want to be - depending on your level of emotional safety and support - whether to first learn about the trauma of abuse or to also complete various checklists which focus on individual recovery. This book guides the abused through the process of sharing their story in a way that is helpful and non-retraumatizing. The information and checklists take you on an intentional healing adventure, not always smooth and pain-free, but definitely worth the destination - Hope.