From one of America’s most influential psychiatrists, an “extraordinary” and “profound” (New York Times) manifesto for reimagining justice for survivors of sexual trauma
The #MeToo movement brought worldwide attention to sexual violence, but while the media focused on the fates of a few notorious predators who were put on trial, we heard far less about the outcomes of those trials for the survivors of their abuse.
The conventional retributive process fails to serve most survivors; it was never designed for them. Renowned trauma expert Judith L. Herman argues that the first step toward a better form of justice is simply to ask survivors what would make things as right as possible for them. In Truth and Repair, she commits the radical act of listening to survivors. Recounting their stories, she offers an alternative vision of justice as healing for survivors and their communities.
Deeply researched and compassionately told, Truth and Repair envisions a new path to justice for all.
11 reviews for Truth and Repair: How Trauma Survivors Envision Justice , psychology , health , children care , trauma , self help , mental health , therapy
Rated 5 out of 5
maryg (verified owner)–
A brilliant and accessible book about what survivors of sexual violence want and need when it comes to healing and repair. The book is compassionate and passionate in its persuasive arguments of justice and repair. Essential reading. Most highly recommend.
Rated 5 out of 5
Sassy (verified owner)–
I enjoyed reading this book very much and am so glad that Judith L. Herman wrote it. Having been waiting to read her latest book after reading her groundbreaking book “Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence–from Domestic Abuse to Politics Terror” many years ago, I was not disappointed. There are many concepts that the author shares that are relevant to a variety of “trauma” situations. If there are any particles of trauma in your soul, there are nuggets of wisdom in this book. The author talks a great deal about patriarchy, apology, accountability, and preventions. Her message is not just directed at victims of abuse and trauma, but she also shares her decades of working in the field with thoughts for the justice system and others who may be silent witnesses to abusive behavior. The book really brings about a new awareness of how others suffer. I found this book to be very inspiring–be aware of your own “truth,” be aware of the “truth” of others, and realize that trauma steals the very spirit of an individual. I am inspired to not let others steal anything more from me and to help others shine their lights brighter than ever.
Rated 5 out of 5
Trish Guise (verified owner)–
I feel Dr Herman did an outstanding job highlighting the role bystander complicity plays in compounding the abuse victims suffer.
Rated 5 out of 5
Dr. J. (verified owner)–
This book presents data on what sexual trauma survivors would actually like to experience in order for them to feel that justice was on their side. It’s the author’s follow-up to her first groundbreaking book-Trauma and Recovery. Again Groundbreaking, seeing how JUSTICE is described by actual survivors who get to tell their stories. The author gives them voice and NEW ideas for real justice.
Rated 5 out of 5
Adam Read (verified owner)–
So many conversations in the trauma sector hover around individual treatment without looking at systemic issues that cause then. Maybe it’s because by the time people seek help, they are in fact looking for individual care.
What’s refreshing about Dr Herman’s book here is that she zooms out far enough to see the bigger picture.
Rated 5 out of 5
Alice Korngold (verified owner)–
Brilliant insights that are deeply affecting for someone who has experienced severe trauma, and who has dedicated their life to social justice. It is also inspiring to see that a person of 81 years, who suffered for over 25 years, dedicated herself to the hard work of writing a book of such profound importance.
Rated 5 out of 5
Irma Ofelia (verified owner)–
Lo estoy leyendo y es lo que quería
Rated 5 out of 5
M. Josephsohn (verified owner)–
Judith Herman is back with an amazing book on trauma, repair and the fight for social justice. This book is thorough and a must read for clinicians and non-clinicians interested in trauma work.
Rated 5 out of 5
ea malabre (verified owner)–
Dr. Herman brilliantly lays out how the Justice system fails victims of sexual violation 95 to 99% of the time. She explains painstakingly how the traditional justice system serves to silence those harmed or worse retraumatizes them in trauma blind adversarial proceedings. When 1/3 or less women report, more than 2/3 don’t feel safe to report. When the attrition rate then continues to go exponentially down from there with only 1/2 of those reports resulting in an arrest, 2/3 of that small number prosecuted, it leaves 90% of cases failing to meet any justice. There is little reason to trust this system. Half of that 10% or more convicted still walk free and only 0-5% of cases result in sentences and reflect immense racial bias. The system is broken. The Justice system does not provide fairness or Justice. What then?
I loved this books exposure of the myth that our Justice system will bring resolution to those who have experienced sexual violence and make our society safer. Based on her decades of research and deep understanding the dynamics of trauma and PTSD, she makes the clear case of needed change. She points to the missing participation of the third group, the bystanders who make up the community and the institutions. What if the community stood with the victim, what if the one who harms were not protected to continue harming? She reimagines systems that do not isolate survivors to fight these fights for Justice alone and traumatized.
Rated 5 out of 5
Alexandra Olsen (verified owner)–
Appreciated the diverse perspectives within the text and how it was structured
Rated 5 out of 5
KT (verified owner)–
If societies are to be free and just for all, especially including the US, understanding this books portrayal of tyranny and Justice is essential.
maryg (verified owner) –
A brilliant and accessible book about what survivors of sexual violence want and need when it comes to healing and repair. The book is compassionate and passionate in its persuasive arguments of justice and repair. Essential reading. Most highly recommend.
Sassy (verified owner) –
I enjoyed reading this book very much and am so glad that Judith L. Herman wrote it. Having been waiting to read her latest book after reading her groundbreaking book “Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence–from Domestic Abuse to Politics Terror” many years ago, I was not disappointed. There are many concepts that the author shares that are relevant to a variety of “trauma” situations. If there are any particles of trauma in your soul, there are nuggets of wisdom in this book. The author talks a great deal about patriarchy, apology, accountability, and preventions. Her message is not just directed at victims of abuse and trauma, but she also shares her decades of working in the field with thoughts for the justice system and others who may be silent witnesses to abusive behavior. The book really brings about a new awareness of how others suffer. I found this book to be very inspiring–be aware of your own “truth,” be aware of the “truth” of others, and realize that trauma steals the very spirit of an individual. I am inspired to not let others steal anything more from me and to help others shine their lights brighter than ever.
Trish Guise (verified owner) –
I feel Dr Herman did an outstanding job highlighting the role bystander complicity plays in compounding the abuse victims suffer.
Dr. J. (verified owner) –
This book presents data on what sexual trauma survivors would actually like to experience in order for them to feel that justice was on their side.
It’s the author’s follow-up to her first groundbreaking book-Trauma and Recovery. Again
Groundbreaking, seeing how JUSTICE is described
by actual survivors who get to tell their stories. The
author gives them voice and NEW ideas for real justice.
Adam Read (verified owner) –
So many conversations in the trauma sector hover around individual treatment without looking at systemic issues that cause then. Maybe it’s because by the time people seek help, they are in fact looking for individual care.
What’s refreshing about Dr Herman’s book here is that she zooms out far enough to see the bigger picture.
Alice Korngold (verified owner) –
Brilliant insights that are deeply affecting for someone who has experienced severe trauma, and who has dedicated their life to social justice. It is also inspiring to see that a person of 81 years, who suffered for over 25 years, dedicated herself to the hard work of writing a book of such profound importance.
Irma Ofelia (verified owner) –
Lo estoy leyendo y es lo que quería
M. Josephsohn (verified owner) –
Judith Herman is back with an amazing book on trauma, repair and the fight for social justice. This book is thorough and a must read for clinicians and non-clinicians interested in trauma work.
ea malabre (verified owner) –
Dr. Herman brilliantly lays out how the Justice system fails victims of sexual violation 95 to 99% of the time. She explains painstakingly how the traditional justice system serves to silence those harmed or worse retraumatizes them in trauma blind adversarial proceedings. When 1/3 or less women report, more than 2/3 don’t feel safe to report. When the attrition rate then continues to go exponentially down from there with only 1/2 of those reports resulting in an arrest, 2/3 of that small number prosecuted, it leaves 90% of cases failing to meet any justice. There is little reason to trust this system. Half of that 10% or more convicted still walk free and only 0-5% of cases result in sentences and reflect immense racial bias. The system is broken. The Justice system does not provide fairness or Justice. What then?
I loved this books exposure of the myth that our Justice system will bring resolution to those who have experienced sexual violence and make our society safer. Based on her decades of research and deep understanding the dynamics of trauma and PTSD, she makes the clear case of needed change. She points to the missing participation of the third group, the bystanders who make up the community and the institutions. What if the community stood with the victim, what if the one who harms were not protected to continue harming? She reimagines systems that do not isolate survivors to fight these fights for Justice alone and traumatized.
Alexandra Olsen (verified owner) –
Appreciated the diverse perspectives within the text and how it was structured
KT (verified owner) –
If societies are to be free and just for all, especially including the US, understanding this books portrayal of tyranny and Justice is essential.