Cruelly Betrayed: A true inspirational story of surviving sexual abuse and cancer

I put my own father in prison. 16 years of sexual abuse and threats. 16 years of fear and silence. 16 years of forced smiles and resilience. 10 years of studies. 7 years of pregnancy. 4 years of criminal trials. 10 years of marriage. 5 years of deception. Half a year of cancer…and only 37 years old.

There was no time to ask ‘Why me ?’. Facing my own mortality made me realise that a big chapter of my life was not over yet and that I was not as free as I thought I was. These pages have written themselves in the middle of a still, ongoing heavy storm. I may not be able to control what happens to me but I can always choose how to face it. This book will shed light on a far too common issue while encouraging you to self-analyse to create change in order to get you through your own ‘years’.

In this truly powerful testimony, Mary describes her experience with coercive control that has dominated most of her life. How could the cruel truth be hidden beneath that perfected smile for 16 years? The lack of healthy foundations in her childhood ultimately influenced what she was prepared to accept for herself. The survival tools lie conveniently hidden within each of us and are sharpened with each adversity life throws at us. The positive mindset is extremely powerful and has the ability to overcome cruel life challenges when tested. Nobody is you and that is your power, own it!