Harrowing Tale of The Impact of Sexual Assault

This is a very brave book by Cameron Kelly Rosenblum who was herself a victim of sexual assault. The Sharp Edge of Silence follows te stories of students at Lycrft Phelps, a school for students from privileged backgrounds along with a few scholarship students. One of the students was sexually assaulted at the end of the summer term and the book begins with the students returning after the summer break. The girl who was assaulted is struggling to come to terms with her experience and feels powerless. In an attempt to take back control she is self-harming but is also plotting her revenge on the boy who assaulted her. He meanwhile carries on oblivious to the harm he has caused. The girl who was assaulted feels distanced from her friends as she hasn't confided in anyone at the school. Ultimately the book is about the power of friendships and the fact that although much has changed there is a great deal still to be done. The clear message to change those men's attitudes towards women and make them realise that women are not merely objects of sexual desire must start at an young age.