The second edition of "When Love Hurts -- A Women's Guide to Understanding Abuse in Relationships," discusses more than just physical abuse. It also deals with sexual, intellectual, verbal, financial, psychological and social abuse, as well as the use of children to exert control.Released in February, the book includes exercises to help women understand what they are going through and a chapter on grief and the rebuilding and healing process. "The book is designed to help women recognize the signs of abuse in a relationship and the abusive strategies their partner uses to control and disempower them," said co-author Jill Cory. Cory and co-author Karen McAndless-Davis have a combined 30 years of experience working with women who experience abuse and the book brings together research and personal accounts to help them make sense of their relationships. "We wrote this book to help women better understand what happens to them when their partner is abusive and to provide tools on what to do if you are experiencing abuse," McAndless-Davis said. "(It) speaks directly to an issue people are afraid to talk about and offers non-judgmental support and encouragement." The authors refer to "women who experience abuse," as opposed to "abused" or "battered women," because women are much more than the abuse they experience, Cory said. "You are a person with many qualities and gifts. There is nothing typical about a woman experiencing abuse, except for the abuse itself," the authors wrote. The book attempts to shed light on difficult questions, including: "What's wrong with my relationship?" "Why does my partner hurt me?" "Is there something wrong with me?" "Why do I stay in this relationship?" "Will counseling help?" "What about my children?" The book offers straightforward advice about an epidemic that women often keep silent about, McAndless-Davis said. Along with stories of women who have experienced many forms of abuse, the book also offers exercises that help readers make their own decisions about their lives or understand what a friend or family member may be going through. A 2007 study released by the United Nations cited surveys on violence against women conducted in at least 71 countries. On average, at least one in three women is subjected to intimate partner violence in the course of her lifetime, according to the study.
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