"Groomed:" A New Level of Freedom from Child Abuse and Potential Sex Trafficking in America
The CEO and co-founder of the nation's largest anti-sex trafficking service organization debuts her new book, Groomed (HarperCollins), an alarming revelation of how much of an epidemic child abuse is in America and how this abuse can lead to sex trafficking. A staggering one out of three women in America was a victim of sexual abuse at some point in her childhood. No matter how many years it's been - if that's your story - those scars are probably still with you. But even if that's not part of your story, this book is for all women.
SARASOTA, Fla., Jan. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Women in America have been groomed for a lot more than sex, says Elizabeth Melendez Fisher Good, new author of Groomed, published January 14, 2020 by Harper Collins.
A groundbreaking book stemming from personal experiences in childhood of sexual abuse, family tragedy and rebellion, Fisher Good explores a dark theme that few have written about that delves into the age-old practice of families and society as a whole keeping "secrets" that ultimately prohibit us from realizing our own self- worth and limit our potential. Fisher Good weaves into her story the idea of women being "groomed," or prepared, trained, conditioned for something. While some grooming isn't always a bad thing for some, for many women it has far-reaching, negative effects that leaves girls and women to feel worthless and out of control.
"Even if child abuse or sex trafficking isn't your past, we were all groomed for something and we all deserve to live in freedom....and this book is for every woman," says Fisher Good.
By co-founding Selah Freedom and The Selah Way Foundation eight years ago, she uses her vast expertise as the CEO with a Master's in Clinical Psychology working with victims of child abuse and sex trafficking (called "survivors"), and cites statistics and personal accounts of how women have triumphed after being groomed to keep secrets. She offers readers a way to overcome their past, starting with all-important but rarely explored idea of a selah, or a time of rest and reflection, and explores active ways to forgive and move forward to a new level of freedom.
Fisher Good says she was inspired to write Groomed so that women could reclaim their lives and not be defined by their dark past. "No one has to live for her groomers," says Fisher Good. "It's time to take a look at where we came from to escape the messages of our past and take control of our future."
The book is an alarming revelation of how much of an epidemic child abuse is in America and how this abuse can lead to sex trafficking. "A staggering one out of three women in America was a victim of sexual abuse at some point in her childhood. No matter how many years it's been - if that's your story - those scars are probably still with you. But even if that's not part of your story, this book is for you," says Fisher Good.
Groomed guides readers toward an understanding that grooming is oftentimes subtle, but it's always life-altering. Fisher Good draws out five specific ways that women have been groomed - from physical appearance to spirituality to finances - and shows how those manipulative messages are detrimental to our development of self-confidence and self-worth.
Join Fisher Good at one of several national Freedom Book Signing Events! Proceeds from all sales go directly to supporting Selah Freedom's mission to end sex trafficking.
Groomed releases January 14, 2020 (W Publishing, an imprint of HarperCollins/Thomas Nelson; softcover, $17.99; also available in audio and e-book).
Publishers Weekly says:
"With sharp insight culled from years of counseling experience, Good helps women find ways to confront grooming and take practical steps toward creating a healthier future."
National Center on Sexual Exploitation, Sr. Vice President Dawn Hawkins says:
"A must-read for anyone with baggage! Not only does Elizabeth help us to unpack the layers of troubling messages told to us throughout our lives, but in doing so, she frees us to find the healing and light we didn't even realize we needed. As one who works regularly with survivors of the sexual exploitation industry, this book greatly helped me to see the complexities that compound the trauma suffered by victims more clearly."
An advocate and visionary, Elizabeth Melendez Fisher Good is the CEO and co-founder of Selah Freedom and the Selah Way Foundation, which exist to prevent sexual abuse, exploitation, and sex trafficking of children and young adults. Her leadership has brought freedom to thousands of American children and young adults who have been rescued from the sex trade and she has helped educate millions on the topics of exploitation and sex trafficking. She not only breaks barriers and redefines leadership across the board, but also steadfastly leads the charge in fighting for justice for the marginalized and exploited. In her new book, Groomed (HarperCollins), she challenges individuals to step out of past lies they have believed and shame which keeps them living in bondage and embrace true freedom which comes from vulnerability, transparency and living beyond the shadows of secrecy.
SOURCE Elizabeth Melendez Fisher Good
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