4 out of 4 stars
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The author, Jody Lynn Rutherford, gives us her real-life experience in her book, His Special Little Girl- Incest in a Christian Home. Jody was sexually abused by none other than her biological father, a man she loved and trusted. Her father kept reminding her that she was his special little girl whenever he abused her. Having undergone abuse from the tender age of three years, she believed that it was normal until she was much older. She learned at school that it was not only abnormal, but sinful. Her parents became active church members, and this confused her even more because her father did not stop the abuse. This became a well-kept secret till her father did the same to her eight year old niece, and later to a neighbor’s eight year old daughter. These little girls disclosed to their parents what Jody’s father did, and they decided to have the law take its course. Jody’s father emotionally abused his wife into a depression, and physically abused his sons by beating them so badly that they bled. Jody’s younger sister, Tammy, was not spared the sexual abuse.
This book is written with a narrative writing style in the first person perspective. It has about 200 pages. The author starts by narrating her real-life experience, and then shares with us letters written by her family members regarding their individual real-life experience with her father. They express their love for him, but have some dark moments too.
What I like most about this book is that Jody confidently opens up and gives us details of what she went through, not forgetting to tell us how she got affected by the acts. She gives hope to the sexually abused and provides contacts in case of need. I learned that this type of abuse at an early age has the consequence of affecting the health of the victim in later years. Jody, in this case, suffered from colonic inertia and pelvic flood dyssynergia, as an adult.
What I did not like about this book was the way I was left wondering why Jody allowed her daughter, Dawnie, as a child, to go for night rides with her grandfather, Jody’s father, after all the sexual abuse she had been subjected to by him as a child. Luckily, nothing bad happened to Dawnie and she expresses her gratitude and some guilt because some little girls were not as lucky. I was disturbed by the fact that when Jody moved out of her home, she did not inquire from her younger sister, Tammy, if their father was abusing her.
I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. I cannot rate it lower because even though I came across some minor errors, this book was still an easy read for me. The formatting is well done and the narration flows. Apart from giving us websites and contacts in case help is to be sought, the author gives us her email address for direct contact and assures us of privacy.
I recommend this book to all. Children could undergo abuse without knowing where and how to get help. Adults need to know how to detect cases of sexual abuse and learn how to help the victims.
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His Special Little Girl - Incest in a Christian Home
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