“This book is a beautifully written account of a child’s ability to endure and eventually prevail.  I was immediately drawn into the intense world of the child and began to feel like I might understand the profound complexities of living with her secret.  I cried a little for every child that I have not been able to help.  Everyone who ever wondered about a quiet child, not just child abuse professionals, but especially parents, physicians, nurses, and teachers, should read this book.  I would also recommend this book to sexually abused teens and adults who may be greatly encouraged by the author’s insight.”

Ann S. Botash, MD

Associate Professor of Pediatrics

SUNY Upstate Medical University

Syracuse, New York

    “Although I heard all to many cases involving incest and child abuse during my twelve-year tenure as a Family Court Judge in New York State it was the exception-rather than the rule-to hear their stories directly from the child-victims.  The law permitted, and usually the adults involved agreed, sparing the child the further trauma of relating, before strangers and before their parents, testimony, which they had inevitably had, had to give repeatedly before the case got to court.  Lost Innocence is a harrowing, first-hand account of a child’s confusion, helplessness and hopelessness, which speaks to the pain and insidious impact of sexual abuse in a way no formal or legal indictment or proceeding can.  It should be required reading for everyone involved in dealing with incest – judges, lawyers, social workers and perpetrators.”

Minna R. Buck

retired Family Court Judge

Syracuse, New York

“A deeply moving and disturbing story.  I could not put it down once I started reading.  Presented through the eyes of a child, the narrative had a profound emotional impact on me; upsetting but hopeful.  For anyone who works in the field this is a must read.”

Nick Pallotta, MSW

Syracuse, New York

“A touching prologue to a personal account of one women’s quest for wholeness.  At times painful to digest, but a truly honest reflection of the reality that far too many of our society’s children must face.  A must read for those of us hoping to understand the multi-layered life’s of those who experience incest.  Thank you to Ms. Brochu for having the courage to share her journey and continuing to help others find their voice.”

Deborah J. Truex, CSW

Syracuse, New York

    “This is an incredible insightful and very personal account of child abuse.  The author’s simple, straightforward; first-hand account provides powerful insight into the physical, psychological and emotional effects of child abuse.  It is a must read for anyone who works with children in health care, mental health or social work field.  Although at times uncomfortably frank, it will leave readers feeling better for having read it.  It left me with an uncontrollable need to hug my own children and keep them safe.”

Steve Harris, MS

Department of Family Medicine

Upstate Medical University

Syracuse, New York

    “Cathy Brochu shares with her readers the agonizing story of her childhood of abuse in this compelling child’s-eye narrative.  By trusting us with her private pain, she unveils a public issue crying for attention.  This book is an important piece of Brochu’s many faceted efforts to transform her difficult childhood into a happy childhood for other children.  It is a courageous statement of healing and a challenge for us all.”

Diane R. Swords

former Executive Director

Peace Action of Central New York

Syracuse, New York

    “The heartfelt voice of a child reaches out to the reader off the pages of Lost Innocence.  Her voice is filled with loss, confusion and fear but raises with promise, hope and healing.  As you join this child on her captivating traumatic journey, she leads you to understand that survival and recovery are possible even in the face of tragedy.  Through her innocent words, the author offers the reader a life-affirming experience of recovery and a sense of hope that all victimized children can reclaim their lives and esteem following trauma”

Jennifer Cornish Genovese, ACSW, CSW

Psychotherapist, specializing in the treatment of abused children

Syracuse, New York

“Lost Innocence is so valuable and special to the professional field of child abuse prevention.  The author is to be firmly commended, and even loudly applauded, for her strength to break the silence of incest.  Alice Miller, in the classic The Drama of the Gifted Child (formerly Prisoners of Childhood) states that the victims of child sexual abuse have been “condemned to silence.”  This author was condemned to silence in the guise of being special.  Ms. Brochu’s account reveals how sexual abuse includes components of emotional and physical abuse.  An adult has taken advantage of a child’s innocence, desire to please and need to be loved resulting in physical violation and damaging emotional confusion.  This book will encourage other survivors of child sexual abuse to find the strength to speak out the truths of their own past.. It will also encourage our community of professionals and general public to finally accept the prevalence of incest in today’s world.”

Tamara Henry-Kurtz

Executive Director

 Madison Family Outreach

Madison County, New York

    “A haunting expose’ of fragile humanity; its failures and successes.  As an attorney practicing in Family Court for twenty-six years, I found the reading of this book a much too unfortunate truth.”

John Lindauer, Attorney at Law

Syracuse, NewYork