I Wish You Were Dead

<p>As a child Michael Banks suffered the debilitating circumstances of sexual abuse - inflicted on him by who was supposed to be a trusted family member. Now he shares his story and provides hope for others in similar situations. </p><p>When he was only five years old Michael began to suffer intense sexual and physical abuse at the hands of their alcoholic father. With a mother already at an in-patient psychiatric unit Michael had no one to stand up for his wellbeing. </p><p>Michael knew the stakes were high for his father. A father who hid his abuse from his struggling wife and often provided hush money or gifts to veil the horrors he put his son through. Michael didn't want a new bike or money or things. He wanted a normal mother and father an average life and a childhood without abuse. </p><p>As a teenager Michael decided to turn the narrative on its head. He left the house and began seeking help for the terror he'd experienced.</p><p>Throughout the trials unfairly brought against him Michael didn't let his abuser define himself or the path his life would take. His story is a testament to the indelible strength of a human spirit the power of healing trauma and the courage to shed a light on male abuse. </p><p>Banks wrote his memoir specifically for readers 16 years and older who have a vested interest in survival stories abuse memoirs and encouraging self-help stories.</p>