Hours of Torture, Years of Silence : My Soul Was the Scene of the Crime [Paperback]

Teresa M Lauer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1998

Hours of Torture, Years of Silence shares a victim's strength and courage and how you can bring that to your own recovery. In this incredibly honest book you're transported into the middle of a crime scene with a young girl in a home on a fog-shrouded street in San Francisco. An escape 14 hours later from a kidnapper's house, began an incredible journey of recovery that will inspire and encourage you through your own recovery. That girl was me.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Hours of Torture, Years of Silence is a beautifully written, exquisitely sensitive book to all who are similarly burdened and seek hope. Teresa's journey will be especially helpful to those professional practitioners - doctors, psychologists, therapists, etc. - striving to assist those struggling with the trauma of sexual assault. -- Sally Lucido, MA

In Hours of Torture, Years of Silence, Teresa provides the precious gift of the unbearable truth of her experience. Her story evokes compassion and a yearning for justice and rings with authenticity, a most valuable contribution. She has transformed horror into the service of humanity - true art. This book would be on my required reading list for graduate students and therapists alike. What a victory she has won! -- Dennis N. Hinkle, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist

Teresa completely captured the essence of how a rape victim suffers. I have a much better understanding and deeper empathy for my clients who have experienced rape and who are suffering from PTSD. -- Linda Rae, MSW

About the Author

Teresa Lauer, MA, a writer and sex educator, earned her Master's Degree from the University of San Francisco. She is a partner at the Institute for Interpersonal Relations and works with individuals and couples who have experienced rape, and is particularly interested in how sexual assault affects ones sexuality, whether or not one is in a relationship. Teresa is continuing her studies, working towards a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 158 pages
• Publisher: RapeRecovery.com; 1st edition (February 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966207807
• ISBN-13: 978-0966207804
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #607,804 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

As a therapist and writer, I'm passionate about helping people enrich their relationships. In addition to a private practice I have written a number of both consumer-oriented and professional books and articles.

My specialities as a psychotherapist have expanded and evolved since graduating from the University of San Francisco with a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology in Marriage and Family Therapy.

As a recognized expert in intimacy and relationships, my primary focus is couples therapy however I further specialize in trauma and issues relating to victims and their spouse or partner.

Because of my advanced training and personal experience in the area of rape and recovery, I write extensively on these subjects in books entitled: The Truth About Rape, and Hours of Torture, Years of Silence.

Recent articles include "Rape Trauma Syndrome in Intimate Relationships" (American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists), "Pelvic Pain Due to Internal Injuries and Treatment Modalities" and "How to Make Your Therapy a Success".

Following my mom's death in 2004, I became interested in areas of grief and loss and the issue of mother-daughter relationships. Bonding: A Journal to Bring You Closer to Your Mom is a result of my work and my own personal journey.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Time of Healing from PTSD, December 22, 2002

By 

Debbie Spicer (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hours of Torture, Years of Silence : My Soul Was the Scene of the Crime (Paperback)

When I found this book, I was first of all amazed that this author would be able to write her experience in the fullness she could, to reach inside and be able to describe what torture and pain "felt" like. I had dicovered my own torture at the age of 18, and even though I had been seeing a Psychologist for a year, I found strength and compassion for myself and others who have had to experience such a personal crime. Teresa helped me find within myself a new pathway of healing. Her abilities of expression in writing, as well as her description of the torture and what it did to her, were frightening, yet she caused me to go on, instead of turn inside.

A picture of her own healing is portrayed, giving others the strength to go on. A book that turned my entire life around, and even though the journey is not easy by all means, it gave me determination and a resource to view when I wanted to quit.
Thank you to this author, her beautiful ability to write, and to write about a subject many would turn away due to their own fear.

This nation, as well as the world, need to realize these types of events happen each day and many either go on, or if help is not found, commit suicide, due to the lack of society to understand or for them to close their eyes to the evils of some in the societies of our world.

A must read for not only those of rape, violence, and torture, but as well, for clinicians who practice Psychology in helping survivors heal.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A true and moving story from the heart, August 17, 2001

By 

Philip Lauer (California, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hours of Torture, Years of Silence : My Soul Was the Scene of the Crime (Paperback)

In Hours of Torture, Years of Silence, Teresa tells a story of the horror and betrayal. A story of 14 horrific hours where she was the attention of an animal, high on drugs. The brutality and loneliness of her story and survival instincts allowed her to escape and live her life, in pain.

The book draws you in as if you are in the house, the room, with her. You feel the anxiety, terror, pain, and humiliation that a victim of rape feels. When she escapes from the clutches of death you escape with her.

Very powerful and moving true story. This book will help people understand what a victim of rape has gone through.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Helpful recovery tool, October 11, 2002

By 

SH in Tampa "SPH" (Tampa FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hours of Torture, Years of Silence : My Soul Was the Scene of the Crime (Paperback)

I bought this book for my girlfriend to help her find ways to recover from a very brutual attack that occurred when she was much younger.

This book was very effective for her because it paralleled her experience: a prolonged assault involving extensive contact with her attacker. In addition, it addressed the Post Tramautic Stress Disorder (PTSD) problems she has been encountering as a result of the attack.

If someone you love has suffered from an attack, books like this can help both you and them understand what has happened and how they might be feeling. My girlfriend had trouble articulating her feelings about the attack and this book (and others) helped her overcome her difficulties and express herself.