Colleen Schirmer's book 'Breaking the Silence' speaks of the 'unspeakable'. As a young teenager she was beaten and raped by her father in a series of attacks. Her father threatened to kill her if she told anyone what had happened. For many years she did not dare to speak. Part of her journey to recovery was a two week stay in a psychiatric hospital for the treatment of short term reactive psychosis. She invites the reader to listen to her story, to hear how she reclaimed her voice, and to walk with her on the long road to recovery. Her story gives the reader an insight into the devastating impact of rape, and inspiration for other survivors. Colleen was encouraged to write her story by her doctor, her clinical psychologist, and other surivors of sexual abuse. This is a powerful and compelling book.