Victor Rivas Rivers is the author of, “A Private Family Matter.” Mr. Rivers was abused by his father, for most of his childhood. The book excruciatingly throws the covers off of the dark secrets of child abuse. Mr. Rivers and his siblings were all forced to endure the most tortuous of abuse, at the hands of their father.

In his book, “A Private Family Matter,” Mr. Rivers is very straightforward and direct, in regards to his story. His readers are taken on a journey consumed with pain, agony, fear, beatings, onslaughts of verbal abuse etc. His audience of readers are left feeling every emotion possible. The book tells a story of a family that embarked on a journey to freedom. Although they were free, their home was a definite war zone. The children grew up shrouded in fear and secrecy. Domestic violence plagued Mr. Rivers‘ family; thus the title, “A Private Family Matter.” When Mr. Rivers did attempt to seek help, he was always told the same thing, “It‘s a private family matter.”

The children of this household lived in fear around the clock. There were times when they were starved and given no food as a method of punishment, as well as being pummeled with verbal and physical attacks. Mr. Rivers painstakingly describes the abuse that occurred within his home, as a child. As I read this book, I felt every emotion possible. His family moved too many times to keep track of. I commend Mr. Rivers on sharing such an obviously difficult and painful part of his life. He tells of repeatedly being beaten by his father, his mother’s sudden disappearance, and their younger brother that they left behind when they moved. Sadly, there was a younger brother that was injured while in the womb, due to the fact that his father beat his mother often.

Mr. Rivers eventually decides that he has had enough abuse and seeks out help. He describes those that rescued him, as his personal angels. This book sheds light on one family in particular; however, in reality, it sheds light on thousands of families across our country. There are victims of abuse that long to have their voice heard. Mr. Rivers boldly opens the doors for the readers to get a good understanding of domestic violence and the fact that during that time frame, most people genuinely thought that they couldn’t get involved, even when they suspected that their home was troubled with abuse.

“A Private Family Matter” is a must read for any individual that has endured any form of abuse. It shows the beast that many know of as domestic violence, in its cruelest form. Yet, it also shows extreme courage, when Mr. Rivers decides to get help. Lastly, his book silently offers one encouragement after another in that there are people in our communities that care and are willing to help victims of domestic violence.

Mr. Rivers has written a very heartfelt account of his childhood, as well as shedding light on the fact that hope and safety are indeed possible.