Attracta Gill book aims to heal childhood trauma survivors

Kildare psychotherapist and poet Attracta Gill has finally published her collection of poetry and creative writing, Poems for Trauma Recovery, Love, Loss and Belonging, written to support individuals navigating the difficult journey of healing from childhood trauma, writes Rose Barrett O'Donoghue. It will be launched on 7 May at The Queen’s Bar, Dalkey, from 6.30pm.

Born in Ballymore Eustace, Attracta is married to fellow psychotherapist Austin Breslin. Attracta blends lived experience and clinical insight from nearly three decades as a trauma-trained specialist. She’s currently pursuing a Doctor of Professional Studies in Psychological Trauma at the University of Chester, focusing her research on survivors’ disclosure of childhood sexual abuse through the creative approach of poetic inquiry.

“Statistics show that one in three females will experience childhood sexual abuse," she says, "and 52 per cent of females will experience sexual violence in their lifetime. This means that there is a high number of people living within our community and the surrounding communities that my book will help. We all need to play our part in society to break the silence and shaming of survivors.”

Already, Attracta’s book has been put forward as an important resource for rape crisis centres in England (SARC) and Wales, and rape and sexual abuse centres in the UK (RASASC). This book is going to be a vital resource for any woman impacted or affected by sexual violence.

Poems for Trauma Recovery, Love, Loss and Belonging is published by ShadowScript Publications.

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