Product Description

In February 1992 Merlyn Nuttall was hurrying to work early one morning, heading for Brixton tube station as usual. Then a man appeared, apparently in need of help for his girlfriend. She followed him and within minutes he was forcing her at knifepoint into an empty end-of-terrace house. Forty-five minutes later, naked, bleeding from throat slashes and near death, Merlyn was on the front steps of the house, trying to summon help. She survived the horrific rape and attempted murder but her fight for recovery and to gain compensation, brought her against some surprising areas of resistance - including the refusal of the NHS to pay for plastic surgery on her neck scars. Here she tells her story with the aim of helping other victims, men and women - navigate the complex, sometimes indifferent, system as well as to provide vital information for those who care for victims.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #389125 in Books
• Published on: 1998-05-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 192 pages

Review
'A straightforward account of the rape and its aftermath, written not so much as a literary exercise as a cautionary tale and handbook for victims and their families' SUNDAY INDEPENDENT 'Her account will add another piece to the body of knowledge which is changing the legal system. For that she deserves our gratitude as well as our admiration' HELENA KENNEDY, QC 'A chilling, hair-raising immensely brave account by the survivor of a particularly brutal rape.' WOMAN'S JOURNAL 'I read the book in an afternoon... Her story is horrific, but it's one of enormous courage and survival, and instilled in me an even greater respect for women than I had before.' BEST

About the Author
Merlyn Nuttall worked in the fashion business before the attack and has also lived in Gibraltar where she ran a restaurant. She has recently opened her own dress agency.

Customer Reviews

Honest account of rape and its aftermath
Saying that a book made me physically sick wouldn't usually imply an endorsement, but I had to leave a crowded London tube train after reading the chapter "The Attack", just before my knees buckled under me. That the author survived rape, a slashed throat, blood loss and burns is a testament to her strength of character and intelligence. Ultimately, I think that the book is a practical one, with tips on how to survive such an ordeal and live day to day. I would definitely recommend this book to any woman in the UK, but not for reading on the tube.

All women should read this book.
This book tells the story of the horrific attack suffered by an extremely brave woman, and her struggle to win compensation. Whilst it does contain very shocking and upsetting details of the awful ordeal she suffered, the book also reveals Merlyn Nuttall to be a strong and inspiring woman who has managed to accept what has happened to her and move on as best she can. The author is an inspiration to other rape survivors - she proves that there is life after rape. The book teaches vital lessons that could save your life if you were ever in a similar situation. It gives tips on personal safety and tells you what to do if you are attacked. Despite the upsetting content, I strongly recommend that all women read this book (and men; they are at risk of violent attack too.)

Harrowing yet a tale which must be told
Merliyn Nuttal tells her story with great strength, while it is often a disturbing and painful read, it must be read for society to gain insight into the devastation evoked upon people who expereince such extreme sexual violence. As a woman having been raped, I found it often difficult to read, but I feel that it has helped in some way as part of my own healing process. Ms. Nuttal has amazing strength.