the resource project
Recommended Books and Resources
Recommendations Following a Child's Disclosure of CSA
When Your Child Has Been Molested: A Parents' Guide to Healing and Recovery, Revised Edition
Authors: Kathryn Brohl & Joyce Case Potter
Written specifically for parents following a child's disclosure, this compassionate guide explains how to respond, support your child through investigations, and promote long-term healing.
Learn more: When Your Child Has Been Molested — Wiley
Helping Your Child Recover from Sexual Abuse
Authors: Caren Adams & Jennifer Fay
A practical resource that helps parents understand trauma, support recovery, answer difficult questions, and rebuild their child's sense of safety.
Learn more: Helping Your Child Recover from Sexual Abuse — University of Washington Press
The BRAVE Model
Author: Farrah Khan
A simple survivor-centred framework for responding when someone discloses sexual or gender-based violence. Khan created the model as a survivor, educator and advocate; it is grounded in survivor expertise, community knowledge and research.
Learn more: The BRAVE Model — Farrah Khan
The Whole-Brain Child
Authors: Daniel J. Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson
Provides practical, research-based parenting strategies to help children regulate emotions, strengthen resilience, and build secure relationships after stressful experiences.
Learn more: The Whole-Brain Child — Tina Payne Bryson
Understanding Trauma and Healing
The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture
Authors: Gabor Maté & Daniel Maté
Canadian physician Dr. Gabor Maté explores connections between trauma, stress, health and the social environments in which people live. The book offers a compassionate perspective on healing, connection and wellbeing.
Learn more: The Myth of Normal — Penguin Random House Canada
The Body Keeps the Score
Author: Bessel van der Kolk
A widely read book exploring how trauma can affect the brain and body and examining approaches to trauma recovery.
Learn more:The Body Keeps the Score — Penguin Random House Canada
Rest, Play, Grow: Making Sense of Preschoolers (or Anyone Who Acts Like One)
Author: Dr. Deborah MacNamara
Explores young children’s behaviour through an attachment- and development-based lens, helping parents understand the importance of connection, emotional development and play.
Learn More: Rest, Play, Grow — Dr. Deborah MacNamara
What Happened to You?
Authors: Oprah Winfrey & Bruce D. Perry
Introduces a compassionate, trauma-informed perspective by asking, "What happened to you?" instead of "What's wrong with you?"
Learn more: What Happened to You? — Flatiron Books
The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog
Authors: Bruce D. Perry & Maia Szalavitz
Through real-life stories, Dr. Perry explains how childhood trauma shapes development and how caring relationships foster healing.
Learn more: The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog — Basic Books
Hold On to Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Peers
Authors: Gordon Neufeld & Gabor Maté
A Canadian parenting classic that emphasizes the importance of secure attachment between children and caregivers. Particularly valuable for families rebuilding trust and safety after trauma.
Learn more: Hold On to Your Kids — Neufeld Institute
Allies in Healing
Author: Laura Davis
Written for partners, parents, and loved ones of survivors, this book offers practical guidance on supporting someone through the healing process while maintaining healthy boundaries and self-care.
Learn more: Allies in Healing — Laura Davis
Understanding Sexual Violence and Survivor Experiences
Know My Name
Author: Chanel Miller
Chanel Miller's memoir offers a powerful survivor perspective on sexual violence, disclosure, the criminal legal system and reclaiming identity and agency. It may be particularly meaningful for parents and older teens seeking to better understand a survivor's experience.
Learn more: Know My Name — Penguin Random House Canada
Loose Girl: A Memoir of Promiscuity
Author: Kerry Cohen
A candid memoir exploring sexuality, self-worth and the ways earlier experiences can shape relationships and behaviour. It can help challenge shame and simplistic assumptions about sexualized behaviour following trauma.
Learn more: Loose Girl — Grand Central Publishing
Predators
Author: Anna C. Salter
An evidence-based look at grooming, offender behaviour, and common misconceptions about child sexual abuse. A valuable resource for parents seeking to better understand abuse dynamics and prevention.
Learn more: Predators — Basic Books
We Heal Together: A Colouring Book for Black Survivors
Developed by: Consent Comes First, Toronto Metropolitan University & Carleton University Sexual Assault Support Centre
Developed from the We Heal Together support group founded by Casandra Fullwood, this resource acknowledges the effects of anti-Black racism, colonialism, sexual trauma and hypersexualization on Black survivors.
Learn more: We Heal Together — Consent Comes First, Toronto Metropolitan University
Canadian, Legal and Accessibility Resources
You Choose What to Do Next: A Guide for Navigating the Criminal Legal System as a Sexual Assault Survivor
Developed by: Consent Comes First, Toronto Metropolitan University, in collaboration with community partners
A trauma-informed guide to navigating the criminal legal system that emphasizes informed choice, realistic expectations and the distinction between the legal process, justice and healing.
Learn more: You Choose What to Do Next — Consent Comes First, Toronto Metropolitan University
Neurodivergence and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder from Sexual Assault: A Toolkit for Moving Forward
Developed by: AIDE Canada
This was developed following direct requests from autistic people in focus groups and includes autistic and neurodivergent self-advocate contributors. Part 2 addresses disclosure, not being believed, police reporting, the Canadian legal process and adaptations that may help neurodivergent survivors access treatment.
Learn More: AIDE Canada — Part 1 and AIDE Canada — Part 2
Community Impact Statement: Women and Girls with Disabilities and the Impact of Sexual Assault
Author: DAWN Canada
An important disability-rights perspective to childhood sexual violence: caregiver dependence, communication barriers, credibility, institutional abuse, access to justice and why disabled survivors may distrust systems.
Learn more: DAWN Canada — Community Impact Statement
A Note for Parents
No single book can answer every question that follows a child's disclosure of sexual abuse. These resources are intended to provide education, reassurance, and practical guidance while complementing support from trauma-informed professionals. Healing is rarely linear, but with safety, supportive relationships, and appropriate care, children and families can move toward recovery.