"1 in 6 males will be sexually abused in their lifetime. This fact is often ignored or not believed. Heroes, Villains, and Healing is a guide to help male survivors of childhood sexual abuse understand and heal from the trauma of their past using DC Comic Book superheroes and villains. This helpful book is divided into three parts. The first is "Heroes," which explains how some coping strategies of male survivors are similar to the archetypes of such DC superheros as Superman, Batman, and the Flash. The second part, "Villains," examines how other coping strategies may not be positive, having traits and attitudes of villains such as Lex Luther and the Joker. "Healing" is the final part, which explains how striving to live the life of a hero or a villain can be sustainable. To truly heal from childhood sexual abuse means working through the stages of healing and receiving help from a therapist or counselor. This final section includes writing exercises and examples that help male survivors know they are not alone, as they come to terms with their abuse and heal from past trauma"--From back cover.

Part one: heroes -- Am I a hero? -- Flash : the hero code -- Superman: the fa÷cade -- Batman : the workaholic -- Captain Marvel : the dissociated boy -- Aquaman : trauma and its effects on family relationships -- Robin : sexual abuse and parenting -- Part two: villains -- Am I a villain? -- Lex Luthor : denial -- The Synaptic Kid and the Joker : hypervigilance, chaos, and sanity -- Two-face : the dissociated man -- Green Lantern, Speedy, and Mister Zsasz : addiction and self-harm -- Part three : healing -- The healing process -- The emergency stage -- The decision to heal -- Breaking the silence -- Understanding it wasn't your fault -- Spirituality and forgiveness -- Resolution and moving on -- Writing exercises -- References -- Hero and villain glossary.