Hushed Cries

Child Help estimates that at least five children die each day as a result of abuse or neglect. Many of those who live through it carry lasting wounds that never fully heal. Dorthea L. Hughes tells her own story of surviving childhood sexual abuse in this memoir, writing with candor about the pain and with a clear sense that she came through it.

Hughes wants her account to reach readers who have endured something similar, offering them a sense of recognition. She also presents it as a cautionary story, showing how abuse can push a young person toward self-destructive choices that are all too common among survivors.

The book is also meant for parents, relatives, teachers and others who care for children. Hughes hopes it will help them recognize the warning signs of abuse so they can act and stop it from continuing.