In this moving & authoritative work which combines dedicated research & interviews with victims of childhood abuse & neglect psychotherapist Linda Sanford passionately refutes the received wisdom that such people are trapped in a vicious circle of abuse & will probably become perpetrators of violence themselves. In more than seventeen years of working with victims & survivors she discovered that this simplistic formula is far from true. Most survivors in her experience break free from the patterns of victimization & abuse & go on to lead healthy & fulfilling lives. & the more than twenty interviewed in depth by Sanford provide vivid proof that full recovery is possible. As they discuss key issues such as self-image intimacy work & spirituality we come to see what enables them & countless others like them to triumph over trauma & become not only strong but often strongest where they've been most injured- strong at the broken places.