cover image Beyond Survival

Beyond Survival

Theresa Saldana. Bantam Books, $16.95 (270pp) ISBN 978-0-553-05133-9

Saldana, a young actress, was stabbed and almost killed by a psychopath outside her West Hollywood home in 1982. This is the story of her recovery from that assault; of Victims for Victims, the organization she founded; and of others who have also suffered violent crimes. Her principal message is that the victim of a brutal attack or a sexual assault can never be the same again: despite the healing of time, despite therapy, he or she will always retain a sense of caution, or perhaps even suspicion, with strangers. Saldana makes the point that crime victims are not adequately compensated financially, even if they have insurance and live in states that provide compensatory funds; that perpetrators of nonfatal crimes almost never receive harsh sentences; and that families and other loved ones often need psychotherapy as much as the victim. Revealing and sobering. Major ad/promo; first serial to Redbook; author tour. (October)