Dirty Girls Come Clean [Paperback]

Crystal Renaud (Author)

Book Description

Release date: March 24, 2011

Pornography is not just a man's issue.  Twenty-five percent of Christian women are addicted to pornography and sadly, 70% of these women will never confide in someone about their problems.

Recently there has been an explosion of ministries, churches, and individuals battling pornography's destructive and tragic effects.  Porn is highly addictive and requires plenty of tools to break its strangling hold.  However, these ministries and tools are more accessible to men than women.  Women turn to pornography for different reasons than men but once addicted feel the same alienation and shame.  Women desperately need a place of confession, accountability, and healing separate from men.

In Dirty Girls Come Clean, Crystal Renaud, founder of Dirty Girls Ministries and AACC certified counselor - whose own addiction started at age 10 - provides steps to recovery uniquely tailored for the female addict.  Beginning with surrender, moving to confession, embracing accountability, owning responsibility, to finally sharing with others, the reader will be taken on a journey that can guide her from a state of woundedness to one of healing. 

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Honest. Powerful. Compassionate. Practical. Needed . . . are the words that came to mind when reading Crystal Renaud's book Dirty Girls Come Clean. A great challenge for women of all ages to come clean!"

Craig Gross
---Founder of XXXchurch.com and author of Eyes of Integrity

 

"I appreciate Crystal Renaud's honesty and courage in sharing her own struggles with a rarely discussed issue among women. By shedding light on this, she will no doubt help many women out of darkness and isolation."

Larissa Lam
---JCTV Host

 

"Crystal Renaud is a courageous young lady, and one who openly confesses her viewing porn, her addiction to porn, and, while it is scandalous, she proclaims the scandalous freedom we have in Christ. I highly recommend this book!"

Reverend Tal Prince
---Cofounder of Route 1520, pastor, and host of Tal Prince Live!

 

"Thanks to Dirty Girls Come Clean, Christian women now have a voice that describes their secret struggle with pornography. In this hope-filled volume, Crystal outlines a realistic process for 'coming clean' and helps women take those important first steps toward freedom."

Marnie C. Ferree, MA, LMFT
---Executive and Clinical Director of Bethesda Workshops; author of No Stones-Women Redeemed from Sexual Addiction and L.I.F.E. Guide for Women.

"Crystal Renaud is a woman of deep compassion and character who sets out to help others in a profoundly honest and humble way. She's brave enough to talk about what few will and she does it in a way that brings hope and healing. I am so thankful she is a voice championing integrity in our broken world."

Jud Wilhite
---Sr. Pastor, Central Christian Church Las Vegas, author of Throw it Down

"Dirty Girls Come Clean is an excellent resource for women about the topic of sex, desire, andpornography. With story, honesty, hope, and lots of grace, Crystal Renaud takes this sensitive topic, one that often leads women toward guilt-filled dead ends, and reveals pathways toward forgiveness and healing."

Matthew Paul Turner
--Author of Churched and Hear No Evil

 "Crystal's voice is unmistakably clear in a culture void of healing, comfort, and hope for the broken. If you are that girl, this book is for you."

Renee Johnson
--Devotional Diva is a spirited speaker and writer, http://www.devotionaldiva.com

"I am thankful for the vulnerable faith of people like Crystal. While I'm sure her story was not easy to share, it is in the power of her testimony that others find help out from under lies and isolation. Frank and cliché-free, this book has teeth."

Kem Meyer
---Author, Less Clutter. Less Noise

"There is simply no other resource like it on the market, and I am absolutely convinced God is going to use it to start a new healing revolution for women in bondage. The emotional trauma of a girl's first exposure to pornography is compared by counselors to the emotional trauma of a rape victim should clue us in to the severity of this addiction and the importance this book. Lives will be changed."

Pete Wilson
---Senior Pastor at Cross Point Church and author of Plan B

 

"Crystal tackles the taboo subject of pornography addiction and bares her soul in her courageous confessional of her own struggle with it. The testimonies of women in this book display hope and will profoundly inspire you. Dirty Girls Come Clean will give you a taste of freedom and you will see just how contagious that is."

Cindy Beall
---Author of Healing Your Marriage When Trust Is Broken

"The most powerful thing about Dirty Girls Come Clean is that Crystal goes first. Her willingness to openly share her struggles and road to sobriety creates a safe place for others to come clean. This book is so engaging and practical that I wouldn't be surprised if both women and men are deeply impacted by reading it."

David Trotter
---Author and speaker-LAUNCH52.com

"Finally, an authentic, legitimate voice for women everywhere! Dirty Girls Come Clean tastefully and practically addresses a not so tasteful issue with grace. If you've ever felt helpless in your struggle with porn, Crystal's book is saturated in love, hope, and packed with real-world answers."

Angus Nelson
---Speaker and Writer, angusnelson.com

"Finally! Female porn addicts have been writing to me for years, asking for help. Crystal Renaud is the pioneer we've been waiting for. Her frankness is refreshing and her vision can change the world. If you know a woman who struggles with porn, buy this book."

Nate Larkin
---Founder of the Samson Society
---Author of Samson and the Pirate Monks: Calling Men to Authentic Brotherhood

"We've heard a lot about men and pornography, but precious little from women who struggle with porn addiction. If the adage 'you're only as sick as your secrets' is true, then Crystal Renaud's book will help a lot of women get out of their shame and secrecy and into the light of confession and healing."

Susan Isaacs
---Actress and author of Angry Conversations with God

"Dirty Girls Come Clean is an honest, thoughtful and poignant treatment .The stories are a reminder to us that sexual temptations are not just a 'guy' thing. It honors the different ways in which women enter into struggles with sexual issues. Dirty Girls will be shocking to some, but the hope within it makes it a must read for those who want to take these issues head on."

William M. Struthers, PhD
---Associate Professor of Psychology, Wheaton College
---Author of Wired for Intimacy

"While the double standards and sexual stigma that exists in our culture has branded women who struggle sexually as 'dirty girls', it's high time that an "angel" of hope appears to change all of that. If you're a woman reading this, and this is the cross you bear, then read on because Crystal just may be that "angel" you've been waiting for."

Michael Leahy
---Founder of BraveHearts and author of Porn Nation

"Pornography addiction among women is a widespread problem and it is not going away. In fact, it is growing every day. Crystal Renaud is a courageous young woman who came to God with a yes in her heart and a burden for hurting women in her soul. It is my honor to wholeheartedly endorse this book. Crystal is the real deal."

Mary Southerland
---Women's ministry motivator and author

"Dirty Girls Come Clean is a fresh dose of authenticity and transparency that gives a voice to the woman in bondage.  Sexual addiction has a name; it has a face; it has a soul. DGCC is a constant reminder that those that struggle desire freedom and that freedom and redemption is found through confession." 

Justin Davis
---Campus and Teaching Pastor at Cross Point Church, Nashville TN and Co-Founder of RefineUs Ministries 

"You're not alone. None of us are. Dirty Girls Come Clean is a must read for all teenage girls as well as parents of teenage girls. Porn addiction for women is only a taboo subject because we've made it that way. It's time to start talking and take away the hold it has over us."

Jenni Clayville
---Worship & Creative Arts Pastor at Paseo Christian Church
---Blogger at JenniClayville.com

From the Author

Hello, my name is Crystal Renaud and for eight years I was addicted to porn. How's that for an introduction? Provocative, to the point, and 100% true. But for 17% of women (25% of Christian women)--that confession is nearly impossible to make because of debilitating shame and fear. I wrote a book. Perhaps you've heard of it. It's called Dirty Girls Come Clean and can be described as my personal letter to every woman who desires freedom from pornography addiction. Through my own confession and the brave confessions of other women, this book journeys with the reader through the various steps necessary for taking ahold of a life marred by sexual sin & shame--to a life healed by forgiveness and hope. One of the things I hear most often from women who hear my story for the first time is, "I thought I was the only one." Women need to know they are not alone and that there's hope. It is the desire of both this book and my ministry, Dirty Girls Ministries, to break down the stigmatic barriers that are keeping these women addicted. If you don't need this book yourself, I encourage you to pick one up for someone in your life who might. If doing so means the possibility of even just one woman coming clean and finding healing, it would be well worth your time. 

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Moody Publishers; New Edition edition (March 24, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802463002
• ISBN-13: 978-0802463005
• Product Dimensions: 5.6 x 0.4 x 7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #323,162 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Crystal Renaud is the Founder and Executive Director of Dirty Girls Ministries.

She's also an author, speaker and college student who lives in the Kansas City area. Her book, Dirty Girls Come Clean (Moody Publishers) released in April 2011.

After spending nearly seven years in full-time Church communications she has now dedicated her life to helping women find freedom from pornography and sexual addiction as founder and director of the Dirty Girls Ministries. Crystal has used the experience gained from her own 8-year pornography and sexual addiction to counsel hundreds of women. Founded by Crystal in February 2009, the desire of Dirty Girls Ministries is to break through the stigmatic barriers that are keeping women in bondage to these addictions.

Crystal is certified in Sexual Addiction Counseling through the American Association of Christian Counselors and is currently working on her degree in Christian Counseling.

Crystal and her work have been featured in the New York Times, ABC News, Christianity Today, 700 Club Interactive, Outreach Magazine and more.

Crystal speaks to church services, college groups, youth groups, women's groups and virtually any other group or conference on women's pornography and sexual addiction as well as on a variety of other topics.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars It's not just a male issue January 11, 2012

By Jason Presley

Format:Paperback

Pornography is thought of only as a male problem. A growing number of woman struggle from addictions to pornography as well. In Dirty Girls Come Clean, Crystal helps to show woman that they are not alone in this struggle. Through the use of her acronym SCARS and with the help of a number of personal stories from other women Crystal is able to provide help and hope to others that are stuck struggling to break free from an unfortunately very taboo but very pervasive problem.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have resource April 1, 2011

By C. Miley

Format:Paperback

Dirty Girls Come Clean is part testimonial, part resource and part informational. It is also 100% needed. It is the story of Crystal Renaud's personal journey through addiction to pornography and her recovery process. In fact, this book came about as a result of her search for resources to assist in the recovery journey, and not finding any that adequately addressed the specific issues and needs of women facing this particular addiction.

Part of the book adapts a technique used in many sexual addiction recovery programs called SCARS (Surrender, Confession, Accountability, Responsibility, Sharing). A chapter is devoted to each category, with explanations and testimonials from women at various stages of recovery included, which are detailed but never graphic. Practical action steps/questions are included at the end of each chapter, as well as additional available resources, making it useful for independent use as well as group settings.

This book was very well written and is so inspirational. It approaches porn addiction and its potentially associated behaviors (such as masturbation, sexting, sexual activity) as symptoms of a "core unhealed woundedness". The bottom line is that God never wastes an experience, even (maybe especially) the painful ones. Instead of hiding behind her shame and guilt, Renaud is using her experiences for God's glory and wants this book, as well as Dirty Girls Ministries, to be a tool of liberation from bondage. Her style is very conversational and user-friendly, making a taboo subject less threatening.

Dirty Girls Come Clean is a book of inspiration and hope. While I think it is destined to become 'the' go-to resources for women dealing with porn addiction, I also believe it is a must have resource for anyone who works with girls/women in any capacity. You just never know what that person is or will be going through, particularly in this sex saturated culture. It is unapologetically Christ centered, but would also be a useful resource for anyone struggling with this issue, regardless of religious affiliation (or lack thereof).

I can't recommend this book enough.

Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book for review purposes from Moody Publishers. No other compensation was received.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Struggle with porn? Know someone who does? April 1, 2011

By Sydney

Format:Paperback

This book is the best resource I have come across in dealing with an addiction to pornography and being a woman. There are many books out there that on the topic of pornography addiction, but all of them are focused on men, possibly with chapters mentioning the affects of this pornography addiction on their wives/families.
This is the first book I have ever seen the deals directly, and only, with women who struggle with this addiction.

Dirty Girls Come Clean gives hope to the struggling heart and confidence that we are not alone in the battle. It is well written and well thought out.

It's a short book, but quite powerful, and gives you all the tools you need to overcome pornography, no matter how long you have been addicted. There's a great anagram for remembering the steps to recovery: SCARS (Surrender, Confession, Accountability, Responsibility, Sharing). At the end of each chapter a woman shares her testimony of addiction and healing. The testimonies were especially nice because they ran the spectrum of addiction and made it easy to relate to them and their situations.

I highly recommend this resource if you, or someone you know is struggling with addiction to pornography. Crystal bases her recovery steps on the 12 step programs used in other recovery systems.