Rachel Denhollander’s book, What’s a Girl Worth?, powerfully shares her story of sexual abuse as a child and particularly as a teen at the hands of Larry Nasser, gymnastics doctor for the USA Gymnastics team. Post undergrad, I’ve found myself in the place where I just need to read a good story, but still not being in the headspace for a fiction book, Denhollander’s book offered a good and hard read. This book is a must read. Though it was hard and very painful to read at times, I realized how necessary it was for me in order to better understand what victims of sexual abuse go thorugh.
Just a brief look at the National Sexual Assault Resource Center reveals stagering statistics: 1 in 5 women in the US experience attempted or complete rape in their lifetime, 81% of women report experiencing some form of sexual harrassment or assault in thier lifetime, and 1 in 3 female victims of attempted or completed rape were between the ages of 11 and 17 (https://www.nsvrc.org/statistics). Yet despite what the statistics reveal, too often the conversation surrounding sexual abuse is silent, bringing more hurt to the victims. Denhollander’s story forces us to deal with the fact that we as a society and church are horrible at honoring and helping victims of sexual abuse. Yet her story also offers us a way forward, as she explains the shame and trauma a victim of sexual abuse goes through. She spares no detail of what she and others endured at the hands of Nasser, and sadly, even how the church failed to respond well.
Denhollander took a stand (and is still taking a stand) to protect young girls and women. She stood up despite the cost to herself and her family in order to be a voice for women and girls everywhere who have endured sexual abuse. I believe this places her on the same par with people like Abby Johnson, who spoke out against Planned Parenthood, sharing her story despite the danger to herself and her family. Johnson’s story was a pivotal point in my understanding of the abortion issue, shifting me from viewing women as the murders of their children, to seeing those same women as the victims of a corrupt system that doesn’t actually care about them, their child, or their health.
Just as I would say the movie “Unplanned” is a must-watch, so I would say Denhollander’s book is a must read. She highlights an issue that we as a church especially need to be aware of. An issue that we have too often failed to respond properly to. She also offers hope, showing us how to respond with both love and justice for the victims. This book will change the way you think about sexual abuse and assault, forcing you to figure out what you believe and to reflect over how you have responded to those around you who have endured sexual abuse.
I encourage you to pick up this book, read it, and prayerfully reflect over the things God brings to light in your own life as you consider Denhollander’s story. You can find her book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Tyndale, and Indiebound. You can also check out her website here.