Book Review 'De Enge Man In De Bosjes'

Index

A Review Copy

After reading about 'De Enge Man in de Bosjes' in the Prometheus newsletter, I requested a review copy from the publisher and was pleased to receive one. The book deals with one of the most pressing issues facing women today: sexual violence and the lasting impact it has on women's lives.

De Enge Man In De Bosjes

'De Enge Man in de Bosjes' was written by Myrthe van Gestel and is based on her personal experiences. Through this book, she not only shares her own story but also draws attention to the issue of victim blaming, a reaction that often follows after sexual violence. However, her experience is far from unique. Many survivors of sexual violence are confronted with the same harmful tendency to be blamed for what happened to them, rather than receiving the support and understanding they need.

My View On This Subject & This Book

I think the author is incredibly brave for sharing her experiences with sexual violence. It is a very sensitive and difficult subject, and no one should ever have to experience any form of violence, especially sexual violence. Although I have experienced sexual violence myself, my experiences are not comparable to those described in this book. At times, I found the book difficult to read, because the author's life experiences and circumstances differ significantly from my own. However, this did not diminish the importance of her story. On the contrary, it reminded me that sexual violence affects people from many different backgrounds and in many different ways. By sharing her experiences, the author contributes to an important conversation about sexual violence, its impact, and the victim blaming that survivors so often face.

The Numbers Behind Sexual Violence

The statistics on sexual violence reveal the scale and seriousness of the problem. According to Statistics Netherlands (CBS), more than 1,7 million people aged 16 and older experienced sexually inappropriate or unwanted behavior in 2024. The Center for Sexual Violence (Centrum Seksueel Geweld) reports that 1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men have experienced sexual violence or sexual boundary violations at some point in their lives. Furthermore, 1 in 25 Dutch men has been raped, compared to 1 in 4 women. The impact of these experiences is often compounded by the reactions survivors receive when they speak about what happened. Research shows that 75 percent of people who disclose their experiences of sexual violence receive at least 1 blaming or accusatory response. Despite the devastating effects that sexual violence can have, there is hope for recovery. According to the Center for Sexual Violence, trauma treatment reduces PTSD symptoms in most cases.

More Information

For readers who would like to learn more about sexual violence, trauma treatment, and the harmful effects of victim blaming helpful resources can be found on the websites of Rutgers, Centrum Seksueel Geweld, Atria, and Fonds Slachtofferhulp. These organizations provide information, support, research, educational materials, and guidance for survivors, their loved ones, and anyone seeking a better understanding of these important issues.