We can discuss her book in such a way as it is relevant to her testimony...we just can't go out of our way to ruin the woman, like leaving nasty reviews of a book we've never read. And to be fair to her co-author, Ola Barnett, who isn't testifying for the defense - the book is indeed a
collaborative effort.
I haven't read it but I did read the Snow White portion (page 71). (Personally I prefer Patricia Evans, Beverly Engel, Lundy Bancroft, and Gavin de Becker but that's rather another topic.)
Anyway, her basic premise is that abuse victims are naive, gullible, compassionate, sweet, passive and 'exceedingly helpless' - like Snow White - but they are compelled when leaving, or attempting to leave, abusive situations to become the Wicked Witch. Further, her compassion and empathy disempower her. She's requested to change into a character she's never liked. The witch is described as controlling, assertive, calculating and strong, et al.
As a survivor I personally feel this is incredibly simplistic and really grossly inadequate. In fact, its kind of written from the perspective of someone who knows 'about' abuse but hasn't actually lived it. I don't know what her history is. When leaving, a victim does have to become assertive but where this is a scary and daunting perspective, I don't believe its akin to becoming a calculating witch for survivors. It's terrifying because we're on our own
after being told for too long we'd never survive it.
And it kind of altogether ignores the psychological abuse and manipulation abusers utilize specifically to prey on a victim's compassion and empathy while simultaneously instilling doubt they could survive on their own - all solely to keep them in the relationship. I just can't find how her version is even remotely relative to intimate partner violence or what path she took to get to her conclusion.
