National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse
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TALK RADIO SHOWS - www.blogtalkradio.com/naasca
"Community Matters" and "Stop Child Abuse Now" - 8pm EST
SUNDAY thru FRIDAY (no shows on Saturday) - (90 mins)

The HOSTs of our shows are all NAASCA volunteers / survivors. Episodes feature Special Guests, Special Topics and / or News.
All our talk shows are recorded and are later available as "on demand" podcasts. Descriptions include links to supporting materials.

Episodes - 2013 Original Air Date Description
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 736

Special guest Patrick Dati
Monday
12/30/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Patrick Dati from Chicago, a returning NAASCA family member, and an anti-bullying and child abuse prevention activist. Destined to be a New York Times best seller, Patrick Dati's “I AM Me -- Survivor of Child Abuse and Bulling Speaks Out” is a shocking biography of a boy who was raped by notorious serial killer John Wayne Gacy at nine and bullied throughout most of his life by an older brother. What did these experiences teach him? They taught him to hide—to hid his true gay self for most of his life. He lived to please others—especially his family—and so, to be one of us, he married twice, disastrously. His one joy in all these years was the birth of a daughter who became the light of his life. Patrick says, "I wrote this book because I am a voice for all victims of abuse. I know the pain and sadness that comes from keeping secrets, of “not telling,” of moving through life in the shadows so no one notices you. I know the despair that portends suicide attempts and the desperate and elaborate lies you tell yourself over and over again just so you can get out of bed in the morning. I was one of the 85% of all abuse victims who never speak of the unspeakable things they have endured." Patrick has moved on and now is living the life he always dreamt of for himself. Dati has found freedom and sums his life now in three simple words: “I HAVE SURVIVED.” Visit Patrick's YouTube video to learn more about his advocacy to help others who've been abused or bullied.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 735

Special guest Rob Morris
Friday
12/27/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Rob Morris from Santa Maria, California, child abuse survivor and author. His story is heart-wrenching, but as he will tell you, it's how he became who he is today. In his book, "Decoding Your Past - A Guide to Happiness and Success Through Self-Understanding," Rob uses his own tumultuous childhood as the background story. He was able to overcome many issues like abuse, neglect and his own obsessive-compulsive disorder. He has taken those experiences as well as the life lessons he has learned from twenty plus years as a police officer to develop eight keys strategies to finding happiness and success in your own life. These strategies are so universal that they can be applied by anyone who wants to make improvements in themselves. Mr Morris has also created his own website and BLOG as a way to share some of his insights and opinions on a variety of real life topics (www.RobRMorris.com). He truly believes that we can all better ourselves and grow by sharing information and challenging ourselves and our perspectives on life issues. Imagine if you could completely overhaul your life in a short period of time. Imagine if you were given the eight key strategies to unlock your true potential, allowing you to find happiness and success in all areas of your life. Imagine if those secrets were all contained in the same book. They are! In Decoding Your Past, author Rob Morris takes you on the journey of his life-his triumphs, defeats, and successes. He shares his amazing story to lay a foundation for the eight key strategies to happiness and success that will change your life forever.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 731

Special guest Bo Budinsky
Monday
12/23/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Bo Budinsky, a returning NAASCA family member from Texas, who's a child abuse survivor and a tireless child protection and adult survivor advocate. In January 2013 he founded Save One Survivor, after a life of addiction, shattered relationships, abandoned careersa and homeless. As a child he'd been repeatedly violated. Bo knew himself as a broken person, deeply troubled and hopelessly addicted. He spent years working on himself, grabbing onto anything available which he thought would be healing. In September, 2010, Bo was selected to appear on Oprah Winfrey's now-famous 200 Male Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse show. Bo shares, "I had an epiphany. It became clear what my struggle all these years had been about. It was about the business of preparing me to be in a place where I could be of service to others with the same plight." He continues, "Only this last three years have I "come out of hiding" so to speak. I have been ashamed of something and running my entire life. I never knew what it was. Now I know. I am a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and it has profoundly affected my life." Ever since the Oprah show, Mr Budinsky has been involved in numerous efforts involving Childhood Sexual Abuse awareness, prevention, intervention and recovery. See his video "It's Time to Talk About It"
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 730

Special guest Aime Hutton
Friday
12/20/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Aime Hutton from Calgary, Canada, an Empowerment Leader, and a double International Best Selling Author! Her two co-authored books "Success in (high) Heels", and "The Missing Piece" became international best sellers on their launch days both in 2013! Hailing from Calgary, Alberta, Aime works with young girls in her programs of Wonder Girls Camp helping young girls break free from their shells to live with confidence and courage. Empowering them to be brave, bold, and celebrate their unique self. Aime also helps women through her "Awakening Goddess" programs. Using dance and movement, Aime teaches women to live with radiant joy, playing full on in their lives, and live with confidence in all areas of their lives. In January of 2013, Aime was approached and named the Canadian Teen Ambassador for the Freedom & Empowerment Teen Campaign. Where she educates and supports the next generation about the warning signs of dating violence, the different kinds of abuse, and sharing her own journey from survivor to thriver. Then in Sept of 2013 Aime was appointed Ambassador of the Full Campaign helping women move through the stages of domestic abuse so they can heal fully. Aime now writes a monthly column for the eZine called "Abuse Hurts". A magazine put out by the Canadian Center for Abuse Awareness. The column is called "Youth Booth" targeting teens and young adults about situations/themes that are important to them such as bullying, dating violence, healthy boundaries, healthy relationships, and what love is/is not.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 728

Special guest Gillian Trebilcock
Wednesday
12/18/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Gillian Trebilcock from Victoria, Australia, here to talk about her work down under where she's an advocate against narcissism and bullying. Gill has spent most of her life as an outspoken rascal. She champions causes that need to be addressed and tells the truth even though it often gets her into a lot of trouble. She has been a Youth Worker, a Tibetan Buddhist nun, meditation teacher and priest for dying. She studied and practiced Chinese medicine and Chinese massage for most of her working life, has also grown tropical fruit and flowers and has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Humanities and is a qualified counselor. Gill is passionate about anthropology and positive psychology, Bullying and the Bystander effect. Gill's friends call her a horse whisperer, She breeds Haflinger horses and is writing a book with the working title ‘Men are like horses and should be treated as such'. Her friends say if anyone can make sure the Meek do in fact inherit the earth, it will be Gilly. Her current passions include Sustainability, Organic Farming, radio, the truth about the global impact of the Fukushima disaster, corruption in the family court system, healing from pedophiles and pedophilia and bullying as a social process. Gill has been co hosting for a number of radio shows and due to the kindness and support of Stephen Roberts from Cancel the Cabal is about to embark on her own show on Revolution Radio in Kentucky.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 726

Special guest Haseena Patel
Monday
12/16/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Haseena Patel from South Africa, here to talk about her work as a girls' empowerment coach, activist, speaker and author. Her own life journey led to her writing her first book, "I Choose Victory: Find light in the darkness of a life-changing crisis." Girls' empowerment, along with gender equality, has always been something that Haseena felt strongly about, and in 2010, together with her sister, Shameema, she founded Leave No Girl Behind International. Their organization inspires girls to live up to their own potential and raises awareness about the necessity of empowering girls, through international projects and programs. Haseena's latest book, which she co-authored with Shameema, is titled "Leave No Girl Behind: How to help girls become the change in our world." As Haseena writes, "We need to be the light for all those girls out there who need hope. We need to be their cheerleaders, their example, their protectors, their hope made real." And on Facebook: "Girls and women are the world's most valuable untapped resource. Women are the foundation of the world. By empowering them, we're giving the mothers of tomorrow the power to educate their children; we're also increasing the talent, brain-power and earning capacity of a sizeable percentage of the world's population. An empowered girl means an empowered nation which means an empowered generation. Let us Leave No Girl Behind!"
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 725

Special guest Terence Rice
Friday
12/13/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Terence Rice from Eagle Rock, CA, an abuse survivor who also belongs to MaleSurvivor. Terence is a personal friend and neighbor of Bill Murray, NAASCA's founder and host of is the "Stop Child Abuse Now" talk show. Bill suggested Terence should appear tonight not only because he has both an important personal child abuse and recovery story, but also because of his professional experience. Mr. Rice works as an administrator with the Los Angeles County, Department of Children and Family Services, the county agency responsible for investigating reports of in-home child abuse and neglect. He is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and was a school teacher prior to his employment with the DCFS. He has presented information at various trainings and conferences ranging from his own recovery journey from incest to information about the child welfare system and the legal reporting requirements of the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act. His personal and professional affiliations include MaleSurvivor, Toastmaster's International, and the Los Angeles County Management Council. As a child welfare administrator, licensed therapist, and survivor of sexual abuse, he provides a unique perspective to a discussion of treatment and the healing process. Mr. Rice is married and has three children and his hobbies include photography, gardening and hiking.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 723

Special guest Mellisa Jonas-Hill
Wednesday
12/11/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Mellisa Jonas-Hill from Clyde, Texas, who does her own talk show and will tell us how she has been using the Parenting Manual from www.peacefulsolution.org from "The Peaceful Solution Character Education Program" for almost 20 years now. She's even used it with great success in raising her own 5 children over the past couple decades (ages 6 to 17) with her husband of 19 years, Steven Hill.  Mellisa Jonas-Hill is a Character Coach for Empower Resources Unlimited, and is the radio host for The Empower Up Show (www.blogtalkradio.com/EmpowerUp) where she gives daily insight to living life peacefully using the works of Napoleon Hill, Bob Proctor and The Peaceful Solution Character Education Program. She has an eBook coming out called "Our 365 Day Journey To Peace, Joy, And Empowerment." The book will be part of her programs she is currently offering, character coaching for individuals and groups, radio downloads and access to her webinars and seminars. There is more information at www.mellisajonashill.us, as well as access her blogs, programs, and shows, plus free downloads and access to her free trainings. Mellisa teaches people how to end the cycle of domestic, workplace, and school violence through her trainings in The Peaceful Solution Character Education Program. Her motto is, "We can change the world one character trait at a time." Mellisa teaches that we should seek first to improve our character and be the example before others, and all peace, joy, and abundance will flow to us.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 721

Special guest Sue Russell
Monday
12/09/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Sue Russell from California, an award-winning journalist and author of the newly updated "Lethal Intent," a biography of abused child and serial killer Aileen Wuornos. A truly fascinating work, Sue obviously has worked hard to understand Wuornos and how her childhood, upbringing, adolescence and early life drove her to shooting seven men .. and eventually led her to a death by lethal injection in 2002. Recently Sue was in touch with Todd Matthews of the NamUs.gov organization, who appeared as a SCAN special guest last week. The body of one of Wuornos's victims (she confessed to killing him) has never been found. Todd discovered that this victim's info had not been added into the national database (there are some 40,000 unidentified bodies/sets of remains in the US). Ms Russell will have a lot to share with us owing to her interests and sheer body of work. Her more than 1,500 articles have been published in many of the most prestigious periodicals and well-known newspapers. Sue's wide-ranging subjects include crime, criminal justice, social issues, health, fitness, and medicine. Past topics include forensic science, wrongful convictions, fingerprint bias, eyewitness identifications, false confessions, animal rights law, gangs, fire and arson investigations, and so on. "Lethal Intent" was just reissued and fully updated as a paperback and eBook. In addition, CUNY Journalism Press will publish "The Illustrated Courtroom: 50 Years of Court Art," co-authored with illustrator Elizabeth Williams, in spring 2014. It features five award-winning artists' work and numerous trials (Jack Ruby, the New York Black Panthers, Charles Manson, Michael Jackson, etc.).
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 720

Special guest Judge Mary Elizabeth Bullock
Friday
12/06/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Judge Mary Elizabeth Bullock from San Diego, abuse survivor and author of the new book, "Judging Me." Judge Bullock knows what it is to crouch in the darkness, locked in a closet, listening for the footsteps of the man who is coming to torment her. She spent much of her childhood in pain, fear and darkness, a prisoner of someone who should have been her protector. But she also knows the freedom she has won and the happiness of achieving success as an attorney and then as a federal civil rights judge. Best of all, she knows the satisfaction of helping others, with her work in advocacy as well as through this memoir of familial childhood sexual abuse for ten plus years. Judge Bullock knows that childhood sexual abuse victimizes one in six young boys and one in every four little girls. Some victims will not even remember the crimes perpetrated against them, crimes that may affect their capacity to love freely and live a responsible life. Her book was written for the victims, and also for the people who love them and want desperately to understand. Her memoir takes the readers from a childhood of horrific sexual abuse, torture and the sale of a small child to predators for their own sexual perversions to a life that has been a triumph over the past. In "Judging Me," a survivor offers hope and understanding to anyone willing to receive it. Mary Elizabeth Bullock has been a sought-after trial litigator, a respected professor of business law, and a federal civil rights judge. Dedicated to helping others, she has made herself into a formidable woman, with a vital story to tell.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 717

Special guest Barbara Ochoa
Tuesday
12/03/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Barbara Ochoa from San Francisco, a returning NAASCA family member who has been with us several times. That's because Barbara (aka Petra Luna) has a special mission, one which we share with her here at NAASCA. Each year for the past three years, Barbara has produced a series of events celebrating what's known as Male Abuse Awareness Week (first week of December). Recognizing that young males have an especially tough time even talking about being abused as kids, Barbara reaches out to this frequently undeserved group with videos, music events, dance and special guest appearances (Help4Guys.org). NAASCA founder Bill Murray has spoken at the gatherings in San Diego and Los Angeles the past two years, and is once again scheduled to be the main speaker at this year's public, open-air event in San Francisco's beautiful Union Square - Sat, Dec 7 from 12noon to 2pm. Petra Luna is a public figure who is a professional musician by trade but much more to her beloved fans and followers. Even at her young age, she has become one of the matriarchs  and most recognizable faces of her cause, to fight child abuse. She's an exemplary survivor of all forms of abuse and inspires thousands of people to unite in the fight against child abuse. She also encourages victims of abuse to seek help, justice and recovery through her music and nonprofit organization she calls the P.Luna Foundation. She currently commands an Internet network of awareness web sites that has gained over 100,000 followers and receives over 1,000,000 hits per year.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 716

Special guest Tonier "Neen" Cain
Monday
12/02/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Tonier "Neen" Cain from Maryland, child abuse and neglect survivor who's produced a documentary "Healing Neen" where she explains how she endured the trauma as well as the consequences of abuse .. addictions, homelessness, and mental health issues. She was repeatedly told that she was worthless and would never amount to anything. Neen had been beaten by her alcoholic mother, who lost custody of Neen and her siblings and was placed in foster care until a cousin provided a safe home. But the traumatic childhood experiences were too much to bear. She married as a minor and subsequently had five children. For nineteen years, Neen lived under a bridge, in a jail cell, and on crack cocaine. Tonier Cain had 83 arrests, with charges ranging from prostitution to possession, and she was convicted 66 times. She was unable to care for her four older children. As an inmate, Neen felt helpless and hopeless, and resigned herself to a life time in a jail cell. Neen says she was humiliated, medicated, raped and beaten, but felt safer than on the streets. The documentary explains how prison exacerbates trauma. Woven between the lines of Neen's story is the urgent call to action: that providing trauma informed treatment can reduce the cycle of destruction and increase the potential of people who have been abused. A therapist told Neen what she needed to hear to plan for a fulfilling future. Neen's behavior was not an indictment of her worthlessness but was a reaction to what had been done to her as a child. As Neen says, "As long as there is breath there is hope." Rather than being homeless, she is a homeowner, a public speaker, an advocate for victims, and is raising her daughter with love and dignity. -- written by Lynn Tolson
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 715

Special guest Gidon Raz from Israel
Friday
11/29/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Gidon Raz, 62, a returning NAASCA family member who originally surprised us in 2011 by calling in from Jerusalem, Israel, to talk about repressed memories of child abuse that he had recently uncovered. Gidon grew up in what he describes as "a fog" in dysfunctional and abusive family. He recalls confusion and disorientation from the earliest of his days, even in infancy. Born in New York he was only two when the family moved for the first of numerous times. "There was a lot of violence emotional and physical all the time," Gidon writes of his family. My mother was a vicious bipolar narcissist. Scramming, beating and brow beating were part of the daily diet. Including throwing shoes at my genitals when I was a teenager and thinking that it was funny." Gidon says, "Since about twelve I have been made many efforts to function and recover, but mostly the therapists could not grasp the depth of my dysfunctional family." At 18 he learned about kibbutz. Discovering that the children were separate from the parents he thought that it would be heaven. He decided that whatever was going on in his family would not continue with him. He moved to Israel. About 26 years ago he joined an organization called re-evaluation counseling, and has since been dedicated to recovery. Married with two children, he lived on kibbutz for 17 years, but left in 1992 to move to Jerusalem. "I have found that one of the main problems is what I call denial and internalized denial, and I spend much time counseling people," he says. "Today I have a practice in vibrational (frequency) medicine, one-brain therapy and ozone. I also lead a support group for adult abused children in Jerusalem."
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 713

Special guest Todd Matthews
Wednesday
11/27/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Todd Matthews from Tennessee, Director of Communications and Quality Assurance at NamUs.gov. The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) is a national centralized repository and resource center for missing persons and unidentified decedent records. NamUs is a free online system that can be searched by medical examiners, coroners, law enforcement officials and the general public from all over the country in hopes of resolving these cases. There are three distinctive databases, one for Missing Persons, another for Unidentified Persons and a third for UnClaimed Persons (identified remains with no known next of kin). Todd Matthews joined the UNT Center for Human Identification in October 2011 as part of the NamUs program. He previously served on the NamUs advisory board for the database and program development, and he piloted efforts to coordinate case exchanges between NamUs and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. Mr. Matthews' efforts in the area of volunteer programs related to missing and unidentified person investigations involve creating and serving as the Media Director for two important volunteer programs: The DoeNetwork and Project EDAN. In his role with the UNT Center for Human Identification's CAFIS program, Mr. Matthews will provide visionary and strategic leadership, as well as coordinate outreach and media communications. A few years ago, Mr Matthews recorded 100 episodes of a podcast called www.MissingPieces.info.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 711

Special guest Peter Thomas Senese
Monday
11/25/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Peter Thomas Senese from the I CARE Foundation, a returning NAASCA family member. He's been away from us too long, probably owing to the fact that he's been rubbing shoulders with the likes of the Secretary General of the Hague Conference in Washington D.C.! The I CARE Foundation, dedicated to preventing International Child Abduction, has successfully implemented the Prevent Departure Program which stops international child abductions when a parent is a non-US citizen. But the I CARE Foundation's International Travel Child Consent Form, released this summer, is changing the global world of abduction prevention. American-citizen parents and their children who are targeted for international child abduction from an individual possessing a right of American citizenship (including dual citizens) now have a new, valuable protective mechanism in place. Peter explains, "In the past, the Prevent Departure Program did not apply to individuals possessing a right of American citizenship. And parental child kidnappers knew this." Mr. Senese will be joined on the show by Dr. Samina Rahmana in New York City (originally from Bangladesh) who 6 months ago had her 7-year-old young son internationally abducted from New York to India via Dubai. Unfortunately, India is not a member of the Hague Convention and her husband is highly insulated in India. She is extremely fearful for her life and will not step foot in India since she and her family have been extensively threatened. Call in to express your support!
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 710

Special guest Arnold Herman
Friday
11/22/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Arnold Herman from Keansburg, NJ, a father of five, who, along with his wife, has also fostered 27 children over the years, some of them from abusive backgrounds. He is an author of two books with problem solving ideas related to teenagers, and runs "Experience Counts Inc", a non profit organization working to prevent the abuse of adolescents and teenagers by educating parents and children on ways to deal with each other without getting into abusive situations. Arnold writes, "Parenting an adolescent or teenager is without a doubt one of the toughest jobs in the world it is a 24-hour per day, seven day a week task that requires the patience of a saint, the Wisdom of Solomon, and the money of Bill Gates. By the time we get really good at it, our children have grown to adulthood." And he goes on, "The wrong kind of parenting can lead to many problems. In addition to creating a poor relationship between parent and child, it can often lead to various type of abuse. Abuse of adolescents and teenagers is a terrible, but often preventable, problem. More often then not it starts with a simple lack of communication. Then escalates to verbal and physical abuse The parents who perpetrate this type of abuse are often not bad people, but rather parents who have become frustrated in their attempts to communicate with, relate to, and control their children. Sexual abuse may also start innocently, with parents often unaware of the behavior that could lead to this terrible tragedy." Be sure to download his free handbooks: "Bring Back The Woodshed" and "Raising Reasonable Parents"
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 708

Special guest Patricia Singleton
Wednesday
11/20/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Patricia Caldwell Singleton from Arkansas, an incest survivor from ages 11 to 17 and an adult child of an alcoholic. Her dad and grandfather were mean drunks who influenced her to not drink because she was afraid of becoming like them. Her family was dysfunctional in the extreme. When she was 20 Ms. Singleton met her future husband, but made no mention of her incest for the better part of a decade. She writes, "We were married for 8 years (1980) when I told him and my sister both about the incest." She continues, "In my marriage, I became a controller thinking that would make me feel safe." Eventually she began working on herself. "I started reading books on self-improvement and started working on letting go of some of my controlling behaviors. Small changes happened but still no work on the incest issues. I didn't even know I still had incest issues. I wanted to pretend that I didn't. Today I know that is called denial and it is very unhealthy. Denial keeps you in the hurt." Her real healing started in January 1989 with her first 12-Step meeting in Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA). "In my mind the alcoholism and incest were intertwined." She explains, "Those 12-Step meetings and the work I did with my sponsor saved my life and my marriage. I learned about codependency and dysfunctional families and so much about myself. I also went to 12-Step meetings for families and friends of alcoholics (Alanon) and found out where so many of my characteristics came from. I have written about those 12-Step meetings and the healing that I did in my blog Spiritual Journey Of A Lightworker ." She's also published two books, "Silent No More" and "Growing Stronger, Growing Free" -- www.thistangledweb.co.uk/online-shop/books/
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 706

Special guest Scott Allen Johnson
Monday
11/18/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Scott Allen Johnson from Florida. For over 26 years Mr. Johnson, a  licensed psychologist, has been educating law enforcement, probation, prosecutors, and forensic mental health professionals about sexual predators and physically violent offenders. Scott writes of his Forensic Consultation services, "I offer high quality consultation, presentations and training related to assessing, prosecuting, treating, and investigating sexual offenders and physical abusers. I also offer Critical Incident Stress Debriefing and response to crisis situations to offer supportive education." Mr. Johnson's work and books are being used nationwide to educate professionals (including judges, probation officers, and police officers) about physical abusers and sexual offenders. The National Judicial Education Program for Legal Momentum is using Mr. Johnson's textbook, "Physical Abusers and Sex Offenders; Forensic and Clinical Strategies," to educate Judges about sexual offenders (www.njep-ipsacourse.org). His publications include "Man-To-Man; When Your Partner Says NO " which teaches men about sexual assault, rape, date rape, molestation, and pressured sex. Its appropriate for high school and college students, athletes, and men on probation or parole, and  addresses areas of concern for men addressing sexual assault and abuse, date rape, child molestation, pressured sex, and rape.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 705

Special guest Shane Jeffreys
Friday
11/15/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Shane Jeffreys from Paulding, Ohio, a survivor of severe physical abuse who lives near NAASCA family member MJ Goyings. His web site's at www.HatesNotCool.com. A victim of a bully when he was 16, Shane suffering a traumatic brain injury. He spent months fighting to regain his life and is now travelling to schools to educate young people on the seriousness of this issue. He explains, "On March 17, 1994, while I was a 16-year old high-school sophomore, I became the victim of a bully. While in gym class, he sucker-punched me in the temple. As a result of this, I suffered a traumatic brain injury. This led me to have a stroke, and spend a month in a coma. When I awoke, I was like a newborn baby, and had to relearn everything in my life. I couldn't walk, talk, bathe, or go to the bathroom. It was truly devastating to me and my family. I had nearly died, all due to the actions of a bully. Life today is still a struggle due to my physical disabilities. Bullying in schools is a serious issue that needs to be addressed, and I feel my story needs to be told." Shane has done numerous interviewes where he tells his story and explains his mission is "to educate today's youth on the dangers and consequences of bullying." Here's a video we recommend: www.YouTube.com/watch?v=ksoRDcXJsNY
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 703

Special guest David Nelson
Wednesday
11/13/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is David Nelson from Tennessee, child abuse survivor and author of the book "The Shade Tree Choir" found at www.DavidNelsonAuthor.com. David says, "I was physically abused from age eight to seventeen by my alcoholic father. I was emotionally and physically abused by my mother my entire life." He also reveals he was sexually molested by an aunt as a small child. "Last year my book came out about these situations (except for the sexual - I just couldn't tell anyone). Funny you are one of the first to even hear that." Nelson was born and raised as one of seven children in the North End of Dubuque, Iowa, considered one of the "roughest" parts of town. His Great Grand Father was a Lutheran minister as was his grandfather and"natural" father, who David met only twice in his life. As he says, "I never knew I had a "natural" father and always considered my step-dad to be my "real dad." I still do to this day. In the 1950s, it was common to have family secrets and Ma was the master." He goes on, "I had no childhood. I was attempting to survive beginning at an early age. At age eight I promised myself that someday I'd get away and never return. I promised myself I would never be hungry or poor." Writing has been a big part of David's recovery and escape.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 701

Special guests Svava Brooks and Rebecca Born
Monday
11/11/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Svava Brooks from San Diego, a returning NAASCA family member, one of our favorites. She'll be joined by Rebecca Born from Cincinnati, OH. Rebecca is passionate in her efforts to change the way society looks at and handles sex abuse. Her Zero Tolerance work is a primary prevention approach and focuses on shifting cultural mindsets. She is innovative and dynamic in her approach to training other individuals and agencies in the Restoration Paradigm, and is a passionate speaker. Svava Brooks uses her own childhood experience of growing up in an abusive home suffering both physical and sexual abuse to educate others and hopes to encourage parents to educate their kids and organizations to plan for preventing offenders to use their organizations to access vulnerable children. Svava and Rebecca have dedicated their lives to ending the cycle of abuse through education, awareness and supporting survivors with how to get the help they need. The main focus of Svava's talks is always empowerment and prevention! In all cases, Svava's goal is to show that together, through education, awareness and straight-talk, we can create a safer environment for our children and for generations to come. A Certified Instructor and Facilitator for Darkness to Light Stewards of Children (CSA prevention), Svava has also created programs for adults and teens to learn about the prevention of CSA. See: cst.onehealth.com
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 700

Special guest Steve Collins
Friday
11/08/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Steve Collins from Atlanta, founder and president of Adults Protecting Children which trains adults in how to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. Steve writes, "We also help communities and counties establish prevention initiatives to reduce the number of children in that area who are abused. We provide consultation services to churches and private schools on how to write and implement child protection policy and procedures." He explains, "We have 4 core values: .. 1. The adults in a child's life must bear the responsibility to protect that child. Therefore our training is adult focused. .. 2. There must be a new emphasis placed on prevention, without taking away resources for treatment. This problem will end only when we prevent it. .. 3.  Communities must build a coalition of key leaders, organizations and residents that work to bring about county-wide prevention initiatives. .. 4. A cultural shift is needed that moves our communities from denial and fear of child sexual abuse, which keeps children vulnerable, to one where the issue is openly discussed and adults are putting in place procedures and polices that will not allow abuse to continue." Steve's specialties include Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Training, Stewards of Children training, Safe Kids at Church, Safe Kids at School and public speaking on CSA prevention. Mr. Collins is also a Certified Facilitator for Darkness to Light's Stewards of Children, an adult-focused prevention-training course.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 698

Special guest Tom North
Wednesday
11/06/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Tom North, abuse survivor and author of "True North." Tom grew up as the 11th of 20 children in a family made famous by the 1968 movie "Yours, Mine and Ours" with Lucille Ball playing the role of the mother and Henry Fonda as the father. The film was a critical and box-office success, but the loving family portrayed in the film differed dramatically from the actual Beardsley family. Tom shares in "True North" what it was really like to grow up in that family, describing how he took the road less traveled through violence and despair, to hope, and eventually to self-discovery and a fulfilling life. Tom North explains that in the 47 years since the movie became the 4th highest grossing film of 1968, " .. it has not been unusual that one of my siblings or I are asked what it was like to be one of ‘that big wonderful family'. Having seen the film many times, I must agree that what became known among my family members as ‘the big lie' was actually a very charming film and a well-told story. Would that it had been true!” He goes on, “True North" is the story of my journey through domestic violence and child abuse, and the poor choices I made.” North remarks, “My siblings and I had the awesome burden of shame which is not unusual for victims. We had also had to hide the truth because we were famous. No one would believe that this perfect family was so far from perfect!” North adds, “The healing never stops. Every day is another day of coping. But there is help, and hope.” Tom North is an Official Supporter of National CASA for Children. He blogs at his website www.TrueNorthbyTomNorth.com
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 696

Special guest Larissa Clark
Monday
11/04/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Larissa Clark from Houston, Texas. At 21, Larissa is perhaps NAASCA's youngest family member and volunteer. We're delighted to give her this platform to introduce herself to our followers. Her abuser was her stepfather of 8 years, and started when she was 7 years old while the family was residing in Atlanta, GA. It continued after the family moved to Denver, CO. Larissa's nanny played a central role in recognizing the intervention she so desperately needed, identifying and interceding between the teenager and her perpetrator, who was caught when she was 14 years old. As Larissa explains, "My nanny helped me reach out to the law when the time was right, which allowed me to be able to put my stepfather in prison for life." She goes on to report, "I'm really blessed how the whole judicial system treated my family and me, all through the time of the arrest to the sentencing. They provided direct phone lines to get a hold of the DA or investigator." They also supplied a list of psychologist referrals to see, which jump-started her healing process. NAASCA's proud of Larissa's commitment to using her experiences to help other young people avoid, deal with, or recover from child abuse. "I am going to Denver in a couple of days to speak on behalf of Sungate kids organization," she says. "I plan to reach out to middle schools and high schools about abuse awareness in the near future." We are delighted to have Ms Clark lead our NAASCA efforts to reach out to this community, and plan to work with her to develop programs specifically designed to help both at-risk kids and young adult survivors of child abuse.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 695

Special guest Viga Boland
Friday
11/01/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Viga Boland from Hamilton, Ontario, abuse survivor and author of the new book "No Tears for my Father." She'll be joined on the show by fellow-author, and NAASCA family member, Lynn C Tolson, who wrote "Beyond the Tears: A True Survivor's Story." Blessed with a good husband, two beautiful daughters and a lovely grand-daughter, Vida has realized a life-long goal: to become a published author on an important subject: child sexual abuse. Career-wise, Viga Boland has worn many hats: high-school English teacher, real-estate sales lady, regional sales director, educational and business consultant, and for many years, co- owner with her husband of a wedding photography studio. Her hobbies include investing in vintage and antique jewelry, walking and swimming. But her favourite past-time is writing! Viga has had articles, book reviews and interviews published in magazines over the years and is an award-winning poet. She loves to blog and has a great sense of humor, born of pain and learning to laugh at herself because “life is too short to be sad." Viga is passionate about helping others overcome the pain of child sexual abuse and getting victims to stop the silence that contributes to continuing violence and abuse. She urges all to speak out from under incest and child sexual abuse for the sake of today’s child and tomorrow’s adult.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 693

Special guest Grace Nava
Wednesday
10/30/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Grace Nava from Pennsylvania, author of a new prevention book for young children, "Little Peach Pit." Grace is a sociologist, an interfaith minister, an associate professor of social studies, and a doctoral student pursuing a degree in education and global training and development. During a K-3 teaching internship Grace realized how much she enjoyed writing materials for children. Since then she has written several children's books. In a world filled with negative priming and put-downs, "Little Peach Pit" emphasizes the value of the individual, and that self-esteem comes about from persevering and doing the right thing. Using the peculiar characteristics of a peach pit, the book illustrates that differences make the individual, and ought to be respected. Little Peach Pit perseveres through bullying, hardships, and rejection, to become--finally--what it was meant to be with a little help from a Higher Power. The publisher is offering a free video game online that reinforces the message of growth and perseverance. In addition three different lesson plans are available free too, which include: 1) How to deal with bullying, 2) Growth, physical and of character, and 3) An ecumenical view of prayer. The book is available in Kindle and as a paperback.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 691

Special guest Marci A Hamilton
Monday
10/28/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Marci A. Hamilton from NY, an attorney who's leading the battle to eliminate the Statute of Limitations for issues of child abuse. Professor Hamilton has served as constitutional and federal law counsel in many important clergy sex abuse and religious land use cases in state and federal courts, and has testified before numerous state legislatures regarding elimination of the statutes of limitations for childhood sex abuse. She is frequently asked to advise Congress. She is an author, lecturer, and advocate on the protection of the vulnerable from religious institutions.  She is also a national leader for legislative reform -- particularly Statute of Limitations reform through her website www.sol-reform.com -- for the protection of children from sex abuse.  During 2012, she was honored as one of Pennsylvania's Women of the Year, and received the National Crime Victim Bar Association's Frank Carrington Champion of Civil Justice Award. Professor Hamilton is the author of "Justice Denied: What America Must Do Tp Protect Its Children" (2012); "God VS. the Gavel: Religion and the Rule of Law" (2005, 2007); and the co-editor of "Fundamentalism, Politics and the Law" (2011).  She is currently a bi-monthly columnist for www.justia.com and was a bi-monthly columnist for www.findlaw.com for ten years.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 690

Special guest Johnnetta McSwain
Friday
10/25/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Johnnetta McSwain from Georgia, here to tell us her amazing story of success and recovery in the face of terrible adversity. Born to a teenaged shantytown alcoholic / drug addicted mother, she and her sister (11 months apart) grew up in poverty in Birmingham, Alabama. They were left with their violent grandmother. “I watched her cut a man's, throat, burn a man and shoot a man,” Johnnetta said. “I wasn't allowed to show any emotions.” When she was only five-years-old, she was brutally raped and abused by her three uncles. By the age of eight she had contracted syphilis. As she and her sister grew older, they were caught in a cycle of drug and alcohol use, supporting their existence with theft, selling drugs and prostitution. In her late teens she was an unwed mother of two boys. Yet at age 30 she had an epiphany. Moving to Atlanta she obtained a GED (after two tries) a Batcher's degree and a Masters in Social Work (she's currently well on her way to a PhD). She literally had to teach herself how to write a coherent paragraph, but eventually wrote and published her life story, "Rising Above The Scars." Her life has completely turned around. As she approaches her mid 40s she's a much-sought-after public speaker and was the subject of an hour long Emmy award willing documentary about her life, which features narration by Jane Fonda. See the three part movie "The Road Beyond Abuse" on YouTube.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 688

Special guest Collette Sinnott
Wednesday
10/23/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Collette Sinnott from Alberta, Canada, sexual abuse survivor, author of "Should I Tell My Secret?" and community activist. After dealing with and surviving sexual abuse herself, and having three children, Collette realized the vast majority of those not talking about abuse with their kids just needed a simple tool to help them start the conversation, something that would take the fear out of it for both parties. Collette says, "We hope to have our book "Should I Tell My Secret?" in every home that has a child as well as every elementary school across Canada and the USA. Further she explains, “When we eliminate the secret, we take power away from the problem." It is estimated 1/3 girls and 1/6 boys are sexually abused which means you most likely know a child who is living in silent turmoil. People who abuse look and act just like everyone else. They often go out of their way to appear trust worthy. This is the reason we need to know how to have the conversation of abuse safely and effectively with a child. Child sexual abuse is a direct cause of many problems facing society today, such as drug and alcohol addictions, mental illness, teen pregnancy, prostitution, and criminal acts including sexual crimes.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 686

Special guest Dr Alexis Brimberry
Monday
10/21/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Dr Alexis Brimberry from Ft. Lauderdale, FL, is a victim and survivor of childhood sexual abuse and bullying, which brings her unique insight and understanding to the issues of abuse, bullying, exploitation, human trafficking, sexual abuse and victimization of children. Affiliated with many activist programs, she has spent the past five years presenting the docudrama series, "It Can't Happen To Me!,"  throughout the state of Florida, in hope of increasing awareness about, and understanding of, these remaining social taboos. She's also Director of Communtiy Outreach and Educational Programs at  A Child Is Missing, a non-profit organization that assists Law Enforcement Agencies in the search and early recovery of missing children, the elderly (often with Alzheimer's disease), on-campus college students and disabled individuals in the first hours of their disappearance, by use of telephone alert calls.  ACIM can place 1,000 calls in 60 seconds to residents and businesses in the area in which the missing individual was last seen. The program is available nationwide 24/7, 365; free to law enforcement. For more information relating to their program please visit the website at: www.achildismissing.org
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 685

Special guest DeAnn Johnson
Friday
10/18/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is DeAnn Johnson from Virginia, a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and rape, now a blogger and activist. Adopted at 5 years old into a family of church going people in rural Indiana, today DeAnn writes, "For more than 3 years the man who was my adopted father forced himself on me sexually during my teen years. I sought help from the only person I felt I should be able to turn to, my adopted mother, but she did nothing and permitted the abuse to continue." DeAnn believes her mom felt a need to protect herself from the scandal it would create within the community and the church. Ms Johnson continues, "It took me a long time to come to terms with what happened to me and to heal. I have spoken with counselors and church leaders as part of the process. God has blessed me with a wonderful family and children. But now I feel the need to use what happened to me in a way that can help others who have suffered or are suffering through similar anguish." She's been busy in the last few months, creating her own BLOG and web site, and petitioning for change. DeAnn says, "I know God has blessed me by bringing me out of the abuse and dysfunctional household to where He has today. He has brought me to a place where I can reach out and be a help to others. Although I cannot prosecute for my abuse, I can certainly ‘pass on' what God did for me."
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 683

Special guest Dr Janet Rosenzweig
Wednesday
10/16/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Dr Janet Rosenzweig, MS, PhD, MPA, the national consultant for child sexual abuse prevention for Prevent Child Abuse America. In 2011, she drew on her experiences as a sex educator working with child abuse prevention to write "The Sex-Wise Parent: The Parent's Guide Protecting Your Child, Strengthening Your Family, and Talking to Kids about Sex, Abuse, and Bullying." Based on her experience, academic research and scores of interviews, this book has been hailed as a "breakthrough" full of "sound information and advice -- a must read for parents." NAASCA has often presented her shorter works in the "Featured Articles" and / or "News of the Week" sections of our web site, recently posting "The one 'fact of life' that kids must learn early." Dr Rosenzweig has been presenting workshops to parent and professional groups promoting the ideal that parents must be the primary sex educators of their children, learning how to support their overall sexual health and safety in the home, school and community.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 681

Special guest Julie Brand
Monday
10/14/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Julie Brand from Henderson, Nevada, a returning member of the NAASCA family. Julie holds a Master's degree in Counseling and enjoyed a distinguished 25-year career as a school counselor. Now she uses her unique perspective as both counselor and survivor, to speak out about females who sexually abuse children. Since 2005, she has educated and empowered audiences across the United States with her dynamic programs on maternal incest, female offenders in positions of trust and the opportunities for recovery from childhood trauma. She combines research data, professional insights and her personal experiences to enlighten audiences about the reality of mother-daughter sexual abuse. Julie's upbeat presentations focus on the power of resiliency and healing in all of our lives. In 2007, she published a book "A Mother's Touch: Surviving Mother-Daughter Sexual Abuse." Ms. Brand is a frequent presenter at numerous regional and state conferences, she is a frequent presenter. Julie and her work are also featured in a 2013 Canadian documentary on mother-daughter sexual abuse, entitled "It Was A Woman."
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 680

Special guest Jerome Elam
Friday
10/11/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Jerome Elam, a returning NAASCA family member who's a child abuse survivor and writer for the Washington Times, Communities section. Mr Elam says, "I have struggled against many things in my life including childhood sexual abuse and somehow I found a way to survive." Raised in the South, he joined the United States Marine Corps at the age of seventeen and spent the next eight years seeing the world. After his enlistment was finished he attended college and graduated to work in the Biotechnology sector. Jerome continues, "Writing is my passion and it keeps me in touch with the wealth everyone holds deep inside their hearts and minds." At NAASCA, Jerome is easily one of our favorite journalists who writes on the topics of child abuse and trauma, and we feature his articles regularly on our web site. His work for the Washington Times "Communities" section is always to the point, and he frequently takes advantage of the opportunity to explain the shocking statistics pertaining to the material in his articles. Then too, his "End To Silence" BLOG offers him additional opportunities to reach the community of those who share with Jerome a passion to help in the fight against child abuse and make it a National priority. NAASCA is delighted to include Jerome Elam as a card-carrying member of the NAASCA family!
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 678

Special guest Mark Palmer
Wednesday
10/09/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Mark Palmer from Arizona, here to talk to us about "Jessica's Law Now". As Mark writes, "Our organization assists with Missing and Exploited Children. We fight for stricter laws for Child Predators," adding he is sick and tired of too many victimized children left out to dry because of laws not fully protecting them or judges not enforcing the law. "I became part of chain of fighters that have made a positive difference. Presently, 44 states show version of Jessica's Law. Our organization assisting various individuals' help get remaining six states get version Jessica's Law. Since 2005, our organization (Jessica's Law Now North Carolina) assisted nine other states obtaining version Jessica's Law. We have assisted with over six hundred cases, where a victimized or assaulted child needed help." He goes on, "Numerous times, I have assisted various media outlets with news stories and personal interviews. In 2009; we changed our organization name to ”Jessica's Law Now.” Jessica's Law Now, is proactive not reactive, in helping families deal with various issues brought from cases like these. We continually helped steer victimized families and children towards counseling and healing. We fight for harsher laws to get positive difference for the welfare of our children."
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 677

Special guest Audrey Clark

Tuesday
10/08/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Audrey Clark from Manchester, England, an abuse survivor and activist who's here to share with us about Australia's "Blue Knot Day" on October 28th, and how we can all come together to make child abuse history. Sexually abused by her father from age seven, she witnessed violence towards her mother and half brother. The family was often hungry. She writes, "Last year after ignoring the sad seven year old girl within me for four decades I began writing my account in a book 'Outside Looking In' which is published this week. I also introduced my worldwide BLOG followers to 'It's OK' which encourages adult abuse survivors to come forward and tell one person whether that be a family member, a friend or a professional. Each one tell one. We aim to reduce the stigma of abuse worldwide recognizing that first step is the hardest to take." She goes on, "On the 28th October we aim to set sail and launch 'It's OK' with a Live link up with ASCA in Australia and other organizations worldwide." Audrey says, "No one deserves to suffer abuse ever. Abuse is abuse no matter what language we speak. it does not discriminate. By joining together globally our voices become a force no one can ignore."Audrey says to let listeners know she can be followed on Twitter: @outlookin1 or @auds104
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 676

Special guest Keith Long
Monday
10/07/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Keith Long from Clearwater, FL, here to talk about the recent high-profile case dealing with the death of Caylee Anthony and the resulting "Caylee's Law" legislation that's been passed in 8 States and is proposed or pending in 2 others. He led a panel of experts immediately after the Casey Anthony acquittal, to discuss what law enforcement should do in cases like hers and was contacted by leaders in the Florida legislature for his opinion on their "Caylee's Law" legislation. The law is meant to punish parents who fail to report a missing child to authorities, or who provide inaccurate information during the investigation of a missing child. Keith is an independent journalist who was first published by Prima Books, an imprint of Random House in 2001. He has been featured as an Op-Ed writer for the Financial Times newspaper in London, and he had a very popular radio program called, "What women know and don't tell men," in Orlando, Florida. His articles on the Casey Anthony trial attracted national attention and he has have been commissioned to write the definitive book on that trial, out later this year.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 675

Special guest Robin Karr
Friday
10/04/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Robin Karr from Cincinnati is an abuse survivor on many counts, in childhood, in adolescence and as an adult. She was raped at age 11, but her family didn't believe her. Robin says, "As fate would have it, I had just been to Bible camp where I rededicated my life to God just days before this happened to me. So, for my mother to tell me that God was punishing me... I don't have words for what I think about that today. When I was younger, I believed her of course. She was my mother. I carried such a burden all of life. I tried so hard to make up for being a 'bad' girl when the truth is I wasn't a bad girl at all. I'm sure this is, in part, why I've been so determined to save my children from my same fate." Yet she learned she couldn't protect them. Her oldest boy was an infant when sexually abused by his father, a basketball star in Kentucky. Fleeing in 1993, she was later to suffer the loss of her two youngest children via the family court in Texas in 1998 before they were even 1 and 2. The well-known story is here www.MothersWithoutCustodyWorld.com. Adding insult to injury, she was surgically assaulted by a Cincinnati gynecologist in 2007 (NAASCA family member Ica Iova wrote about it) and was left disabled physically and mentally traumatized. Robin says she admires what we're doing at NAASCA, writing, "Thank you for speaking out about a topic most people 'still' don't want to talk about - at least not openly."
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 673

Special guest Lynn Tolson
Wednesday
10/02/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Lynn Tolson from Colorado, abuse survivor, author and returning NAASCA family member. Lynn tells us, "I lived my first eighteen years in the Northeast, and graduated high school in PA. Then I moved to the Southwest where my professions were in real estate and property management. When I moved to the Midwest, I returned to college to obtain a degree in social work." She then wrote a memoir, "Beyond the Tears: A True Survivor's Story". Ms Tolson writes, "This book was written during therapy to overcome abuse and adversity. My story illustrates physical, emotional, and spiritual transformation. I also beat breast cancer (for now.) I live in the Rocky Mountains with my husband and two energetic West Highland White Terriers. I started the Project for TEARS: Telling Everyone About Rape & Suicide. The mission is to: comfort victims by sharing my story, confront violence by breaking the silence, change society via information and action." Lynn Tolson's an active NAASCA family member, a regular participant on our talk shows and frequently offers her services doing reviews of new books for the NAASCA web site.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 671

Special guest Patrick Dati
Monday
09/30/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Patrick Dati from Chicago, a returning member of the NAASCA family, an anti-bullying and child abuse prevention activist. Destined to be a New York Times best seller, Patrick Dati's “I AM Me – Survivor of Child Abuse and Bulling Speaks Out” is a shocking biography of a boy who was raped by notorious serial killer John Wayne Gacy at nine and bullied throughout most of his life by an older brother. What did these experiences teach him? They taught him to hide—to hid his true gay self for most of his life. He lived to please others—especially his family—and so, to be one of us, he married twice, disastrously. His one joy in all these years was the birth of a daughter who became the light of his life. Patrick says, "I wrote this book because I am a voice for all victims of abuse. I know the pain and sadness that comes from keeping secrets, of “not telling,” of moving through life in the shadows so no one notices you. I know the despair that portends suicide attempts and the desperate and elaborate lies you tell yourself over and over again just so you can get out of bed in the morning. I was one of the 85% of all abuse victims who never speak of the unspeakable things they have endured." Patrick has moved on and now is living the life he always dreamt of for himself. Dati has found freedom and sums his life now in three simple words: “I HAVE SURVIVED.”
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 670

Special guest Michael Skinner

Friday
09/27/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Michael Skinner, a returning NAASCA family member from New Hampshire. Mr. Skinner is a nationally known award-winning advocate survivor (The Surviving Spirit) addressing the issues of trauma, abuse and mental health concerns through public speaking and his music. He has spoken at the National Press Club, the United Nations, The State Department and Georgetown University on the sexual exploitation and trafficking of children and adults and he has appeared on many TV, radio and Internet shows - he was part of the Oprah Winfrey Shows that addressed the issues of males sexually abused as children. He formed the non-profit, the Surviving Spirit, that offers Hope, Healing and Help for those impacted by trauma, abuse and mental health challenges through the creative arts, advocacy, education, a monthly newsletter and web site. Michael points out he's written a chapter in the recently published book, "Our Encounters With Suicide," PCCS Publishing, UK. His chapter's titled, "The Silence of Suicide. (See also on YouTube: www.youtube.com/mcstrain featuring a live performance of "Brush Away Your Tears," a song written for those hurt as children).
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 668

Special guest Stephanie Mann
Wednesday
09/25/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Stephanie Mann from the San Francisco area, an author and crime & violence prevention specialist. Her life's mission started in 1969 in her hometown of Orinda, California, where she worked with community leaders and helped spearhead a citywide crime-prevention program. In 1975, with the support of California's first lady at the time, Nancy Reagan, and the California Youth Authority, Stephanie and Shirley Henke published Alternatives to Fear: Guidelines to Safer Neighborhoods, a guidebook which helped popularize the “Neighborhood Watch” Program nationwide. Ms Mann eventually saw the need to co-author another book. In 1993, she wrote Safe Homes Safe Neighborhoods: Stopping Crime where You Live (Nolo Press) with Mary Claire Blakeman. Stephanie's work continued to expand in the 1990s. “I realized child safety needed to be the primary focus for communities,” she says. “My work with the homeless in Oakland exposed me to the legacy of childhood neglect, abuse and social isolation.” Street Safe Kids was published in 2000 as a ten-step guide to give parents practical tools to help young people become safe and spiritually strong. Stephanie continues to speak out on the need for individuals to take responsibility for neighborhood and community safety to protect children. (Please also see: www.pinterest.com/safekidsnow)
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 665

Special guest Charles J Stecker, Jr

Friday
09/20/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC
Tonight's special guest is Charles Stecker from Philadelphia, PA, a returning NAASCA family member who's one of the most involved abuse survivor / activists we know. He offers his info on the NAASCA Contact Page, and has a web site called "Chahlies Angels." He's also listed on the Eagle Rare web site where he's devoted to 'Inspiring Victims to become Empowered Victors'. The site says, "Charles has made it his 'Call Of Duty' to positively empower the Youth of today encouraging them to become the Leaders of tomorrow. They will in turn positively empower the next generation of Youth with the pattern repeating for generations to come. As a child, Charles witnessed his two-year old brother's brutal murder at the hands of their foster mother (who had another child die in her care just ten months prior). Charles was abused in every way possible: neglect, physical, sexual, emotional and spiritual. He was failed by his birth parents, the Child Welfare System, the Justice System and by Society as a whole. With faith in God, Charles was able to turn his life around overcoming his past and bringing victory not only into his but others lives as well. His desire is to inspire and empower you. His wish is that a positive change will happen in your Life, Family and Community through YOU. (See also: www.icaptaskforce.org)
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 663

Special guest Toni Clark
Wednesday
09/18/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Toni Clark from South Carolina, here to talk to us about "Defenders For Children, Breaking the Cycle of Child Abuse Defenders for Children” a grassroots, all volunteer organization. Their mission is to prevent child abuse by creating, implementing and operating projects that raise community awareness, educate adults & children and increase community involvement to keep children safe by stopping abuse before it happens . Every year over 6 million children are involved in a child abuse case. The rate of child abuse is increasing and services for victims are being reduced because of lower private giving & sharply reduced government funding. A second associated group, OneStepStronger, is designed to appeal to teens helping teens feel safe while facing the unspoken challenges of everyday life. The Defenders for Children web site says, "Child abuse is rising! Child abuse prevention is needed! We need you to help us in reaching out the children that are being abuse. It is happening in every neighborhood. Child abuse will effect your community." And they go on, "Can you imagine you or a child being hurt, and you don't know who to tell or who to trust? What happens once you tell? How will the person react? We invite you to join us, become a “Defender for Children” and to make a positive difference throughout your community and our Nation! Get involved! Child abuse affects all of us. Only together we can make a difference!"
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 661

Special guest Wayne Filowitz
Monday
09/16/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Wayne Filowitz from Boca Raton, FL, CEO at WRPBiTV LLC. Wayne has been in the broadcast industry for the past 20 years. He has been an innovator in the Internet Radio and TV industry. Wayne has had the pleasure of interviewing celebrities such as Chris Evert, Chevy Chase, Elizabeth Shue, Jeffrey Donovan and many others. Wayne has never let his past experience of being molested affect his drive and ability to succeed. Mr. Filowitz uses his past experiences in an effort to improve himself and help others with his constant devotion to community efforts and charity events. In 2010 Wayne was hospitalize for one month and was not expected to live. Upon regaining his health he chose to talk about being molested as an 11 year old boy by his uncle. Speaking about this has caused riffs in his family but he is now speaking publicly about this experience and is helping others get through their experiences. Wayne is married and has a 25 year old daughter.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 660

Special guest Deb Maybury

Friday
09/13/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Deb Maybury, activist and facilitator at The Gatehouse in Toronto, and author of "Unlock The Door-Beyond Sexual Abuse" and "What Is Your Teenage Daughter Afraid Of?" She describes herself as an author, speaker, coach and entrepreneur .. a woman of many hats. Deb says, "I've studied six styles of martial arts and created one, officiated ice hockey across Canada and in the United States and Japan, started three businesses, traveled to Indonesia, China, Singapore, Texas, California, New York, Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary all in the name of learning and cycled across Canada because I was inspired by someone who had done it. Right now I'm focused on my second book, “Unlock the Door: Beyond Sexual Abuse” to further my current goal, to bring attention to the epidemic of sexual abuse, to unite people with the mission of reducing the prevalence of sexual abuse and promoting recovery, healing, and a healthy attitude and outlook." In 2006, her dearest old friend of 33 years lost her battle with cancer. She told Deb, "I'm not afraid of dying; I'm just not ready to go.” Ms. Maybury's response? "I told her that if she was leaving me here I was just going to have to do, be, become, enjoy, and learn enough for both of us. In her memory, I continue to strive to learn, teach, and challenge myself and others."
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 657

Special guest Dr Lois Lee

Tuesday
09/10/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show

Tonight's special guest is Dr. Lois Lee from Los Angeles, Founder and President of "Children of the Night" a privately funded non-profit organization established in 1979 and dedicated to rescuing America's children from the ravages of prostitution. The Children of the Night home is open to 11-17 year old child prostitutes throughout the United States, and the HOTLINE (1-800-551-1300) is ready and able to rescue these children 24 hours a day. They provide free taxi and airline transportation nationwide for America's child prostitutes who wish to escape prostitution and live in their home. The hotline staff works closely with law enforcement to rescue children from vile, dominating pimps. The Children of the Night 24 bed home features an on-site school and college placement program. In 2011, Dr. Lois Lee, Founder & President of Children of the Night, created "Children of the Night "With Out Walls" (WOW) for the sole purpose of taking Children of the Night programs "back to the street" to help those who are unable to access traditional social and educational services. WOW offers these people access to an education by providing free online GED assessments, GED tutoring, funding for the GED Test, support documents for registration to test for the GED and transportation to the GED testing sites throughout the United States. WOW connects volunteer lawyers, physicians, psychiatrists and other professionals nationwide to provide specialized services sometimes required to permanently remove people from life on the street.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 654

Special guest Sara Hassman
Thursday
09/05/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Sara Hassman, founder of Parental Alienation Solutions. Sara is a diligent, detail oriented, organized professional with a passion for children's rights. Her organization focuses on Parental Alienation during divorces and seeks to reunite children with loving parents. Sara's wonderful grandfather, Ben, taught her to always help others, never allow anyone to defame your character and never be afraid to reveal the truth. By launching this national campaign Sara is revealing the truth that some of our laws are actually encouraging parents and others to psychologically and emotionally manipulate children and teens so they can receive tax and other monetary benefits; as just one example, by gaining full custody even though the other parent is a loving, fit parent. Sara's campaign is focusing on bringing awareness to this abuse call Parental Alienation. Then the campaign will focus on changing these laws and also implementing laws that will deter this mental abuse which has become a serious problem and cost to Society and the well being of millions of children. Sara says, "Our laws must protect our children's fundamental rights established by the Constitution." And she continues, "Divorce is hard enough. Let's end Parental Alienation by reuniting children with fit, loving parents which will repair that sacred bond. This begins with bringing awareness to this abuse."
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 652

Special guest Majorie McKinnon

Tuesday
09/03/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show

Tonight's special guest is Marjorie (Margie) McKinnon, abuse survivor, activist and returning NAASCA family member. Margie is the founder of The Lamplighters Movement, an international movement for incest and child sexual abuse recovery. She's author of several books, including "REPAIR Your Life: A Program for Recovery from Incest & Childhood Sexual Abuse." The name of the REPAIR program is an acronym that stands for the stages of the program: Recognition, Entry, Process, Awareness, Insight and Rhythm. "When I was in incest recovery," Ms. McKinnon writes, "living in a women's shelter, married to my third abuser, suicidal, and fumbling my way in the dark, I thought, ‘If only I had a Lamplighter, someone who would show me the way.'" From that, the dream of the Lamplighter Movement was born. The Lamplighter Movement is growing, and now has over 100 chapters internationally in 13 countries. Magie writes, "My program, REPAIR, is the result of several years of note-taking, keeping a journal, meditation, and piecing together parts of my own life, as well as conversations with other incest survivors across the country. As I worked my way through recovery, I kept notes in anticipation that someday what I was learning might help others. When I began this book, I re-read my own first-person account, I Never Heard A Robin Sing, to re-walk the path I had taken. I never realized at the time how blessed I was, for that path, although rugged, was straight, and in retrospect provided me with invaluable help to create this program."
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 651

Special guest Kitsy Dixon
Monday
09/02/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Kitsy Dixon from Hackettstown, New Jersey, an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Centenary College. Her research focuses on women and victimization and creating programs and public responses to address, educate, and inform others on alternative modes of healing from emotional trauma. Kitsy's academic work addresses areas of conflict in race, socio-economics, and minority communities. She explains, "I organize experiential learning activities for students enrolled in our Contemporary Social Issues class at Centenary. The course discusses local and global issues directly affecting individuals in our society and abuse is one of the topics covered. Although the students enrolled in this course are not all sociology majors/minors, the students will at some point in their careers work with these issues first hand, so having advocates who work in these areas of expertise are rather important as opposed to relying on textbook knowledge to address these issues." NAASCA's own Carol D. Levine has been asked to speak to the faculty and students under this program. Ms Dixon is also engaged in using creative arts as a path toward healing, self care, improvement and growth. Please see: Declair!
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 650

Special guest Jesse Heath

Friday
08/30/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Jesse Heath from Illinois, Vice President of the Great Lakes Division of "BURN" (Bikers Urban Response Needed for missing children). BURN is a division of Team CFSI, founded by Chuck Foreman. When a child goes missing it is critical that we provide a quick response by increasing awareness, gathering intelligence and assisting in whatever follow up actions are required by utilizing our national team of Biker volunteers. BURN was formed to assist in searching for missing children, including the distribution and collection of information during these incidents as well as to raise awareness of this growing epidemic. BURN is building a network of “ready to ride” volunteers across the nation to assist when they can in helping to locate missing children. When a child goes missing, these volunteers will be called into action. They need volunteers who are willing to repost information on missing children via the Internet and be able to assist in ground efforts in or near their area when it arises. The group relies on the caring hearts of Bikers to help make a difference in children's lives. The purpose is to aid in locating missing children and provide community education on Child Safety in an effort to help prevent these incidents from happening. There are no dues, no monthly meetings to attend, and training sessions are provided for members so that BURN will be an effective team when called upon.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 648

Special guest David Pittman
Wednesday
08/28/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is David Pittman from Ft Lauderdale, FL, a returning NAASCA family member. Dave is Exec Dir of Together We Heal and South FL area support group leader at SNAP (Support Network for those Abused by Priests). He's spent years on a healing journey that continues to this very day. This led him to seek out groups specifically for men as well as those who had been through a similar trauma and ultimately inspired the foundation of Together We Heal. TWH is focused on providing counseling and guidance for those who have suffered the trauma of childhood sexual abuse and educating the public on matters of CSA. As the Executive Director of Together We Heal, David works to educate the public through speaking and collaborating with other groups to raise awareness and expose the sexual predator's methods. TWH now works with therapists, counselors and groups aiding both men and women in their efforts to heal, grow and thrive. TWH is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, charitable organization, funded in part by angel donors who give from their hearts to make this work possible. TWH wants to thank them publicly for their generosity and support of survivors of CSA.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 643

Special guest Sherry Freidlander
Wednesday
08/21/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Sherry Friedlander from Ft Lauderdale, Florida, Founder and CEO of A Child Is Missing (.org and .com), a program provided free to law enforcement to assist in early search and recovery of missing children (Autistic / suicidal / runaways), the disabled and the elderly, (often with Alzheimer's / Dementia). The group also participates in Human Trafficking recovery. Since 1997, A Child Is Missing Alert Program has worked on over 38,000 missing cases, put out over 57 Million alert calls nationwide. We have had press in every state and continue to do so with over 1,400 safe assisted recoveries where ACIM has helped  bring someone home. The program fills the gap between law enforcement and the Amber / Silver Alerts when a child / elderly doesn't qualify for these alerts. Sherry Friedlander serves on the Board of Governors for Nova Southeastern University's Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship and was a delegate at the White House Conference on Missing, Exploited, and Runaway Children. She was on the board of the Association for Missing and Exploited Children. She has been involved in OJJDP seminars on missing children's issues both as a speaker and participant, and spoke at the International Mayors Conference, June 2003, and various Chiefs' and Sheriffs' conferences. Sherry's also a member of Florida's Missing Children Organization. She reminds us, " ..donations that give you tax credits are needed to help you save the lives of children / elderly. If you only donate $10.00 that makes 10 alert calls. So please help out ..it helps you."
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 641

Special guest Shellee Hale

Monday
08/19/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Shellee Hale from the Seattle, Washington, area, who describes herself as a Credentialed National Victims Advocate, a Certified Life Coach, a Washington State Licensed Private Investigator, a Crime Analyst and a Peace Activist. As a media personality she has appeared on multiple local and national TV and Radio Shows advocating for her clients and their families including on HLN, CNN, ABC, FOX, KKNW, KIXI, NPR and many others.  Ms. Hale is a managing partner at Camandago, Inc, one of the nation's top diversified media and information companies focussed on missing persons. Their major interests include newspaper publishing, radio broadcasting and internet businesses to support those missing in America and around the Globe. Shellee's also a consultant for the Office for Victims of Crime. The OVC Consultant Network provides services for the benefit of all victims of crime. In addition, she's a victim's advocate at NamUs, where the duties are to serve as a NamUs resource for victim families and other advocate agencies. Shellee does Presenting and Training on NamUs Database System at state and local missing persons conferences. She also does outreach for the Seattle area FBI Citizens' Academy Alumni Association where she volunteers at community events in connection with the FBI's National Child Identification Program. Ms Hale holds a BS in Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness and is currently working on a Masters in Criminology. She spends most of her free time helping families who have a loved one who's missing or has been the victim of violent crimes.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 639

Special guest Shirley Alexis Johnson



Thursday
08/15/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Shirley Alexis Johnson, originally from Oklahoma, who comes to us now from Washington State. Ms Johnson is a survivor of various kinds of child abuse and the founder of several early childhood trauma and adoption related support groups. A victim of abandonment 3 times as a child and a Native American of Cherokee genealogy, she was first given up by her birth parents in 1973. At just one and a half, Shirley was diagnosed as suffering from the effects of Severe Starvation, Malnourishment and Neglect, and was not expected to survive. She later enduring an abusive but failed 6 year adoption from age 3 to age 9. This ended in a painful termination due to the abuse and daily isolation from human contact. Transferred to the Pacific Northwest, she was re-adopted at 12 into a home with a pedophile and alcoholic father. After a year she was able to convince her adoptive mother to divorce him. At 14 Ms Johnson entered into crisis response and support programs meant to promote her own healing. But she found many of those who were supposed to help her hadn't a clue how treat her. She says, "I learned as a teen that I needed to identify my emotions. I began writing a journal, which I continue to do today." Volunteering with other high risk teenagers was another outlet that finally connected Shirley to the world. She'd never bonded with a human being as a child. She writes, "My endeavors gradually became my life's daily purpose in accordance with the response I began receiving early on from adult survivors of abuse."
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 638

Special guest Kimberly Brusk
Wednesday
08/14/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Kimberly Shannon Brusk from Atlanta, a survivor and an activist who fights against Domestic Violence and for Gun Control. She's a frequent contributor about these issues to the Huffington Post. The 8th time she reported her abusive spouse to the police her husband was finally arrested, and four days later, after he'd been released, he came after her with a shotgun. Ms. Brusk had been married for almost a decade, but the power control issues started within the first year. Looking back there were definite signs of problems to come. Having full control of the finances, keeping Kimberly from working, checking up on emails and phone calls and needing to know where his wife was at all times seemed at first endearing, but should have been red flags, a warning. His obsessions and need for control even had him threatening to commit suicide if Kimberly didn't stay with him. Stalking was the last straw. Convinced she needed to escape, Ms. Brusk filed for divorce and sought the help of a women's support group. When her husband found out, he assaulted her. Kimberly stresses the need for women to have a support and safety system already in place, before they leave the abusive husband. She recommends a packed bag, making copies of important documents, having a pre-planned safe place to go, notifying police and contacting help groups like the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE). "It's the riskiest time in your relationship," she says. Many of her interviews and speeches can be found on Kimberly's YouTube Channel.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 636

Special guest Yvonne Rousseau

Monday
08/12/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Yvonne Rousseau from Idaho, here to discuss her work with "Beyond Myself Recovery," a program including an educational book, a music CD and an Interactive Workbook designed for anyone who has been affected by a sexual violation. Ms. Rousseau has delved deeply into the issue of sexual violations for over twenty years, including her own trauma. She has presented the information she found to many individuals and groups, both publicly and privately. Yvonne has been a conference presenter for the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) for their SPICE Conferences, as well as vigils, community outreach programs, churches, prisons, and agencies involved in both the legal and healing aspect of sexual abuse. Yvonne's intention is to continue to present her own innovative restorative process to victims who seek healing, therapists, coaches, support groups, caring individuals, law enforcement and judicial officials, schools, churches, and society in general. Her presentations include more than just statistics and the latest healing jargon; what Yvonne provides is a logical process to recover from an illogical crime. Her "Beyond Myself Recovery" technique, including the use of music written and performed by Yvonne, makes the healing victim and the recovery process feel safe and understood. Along with other experiential exercises, the songs are included within the Interactive Workbook as a means of addressing the aftermath of sexual violations in an unintrusive manner. Yvonne provides customized presentations that meet you an organization's needs and budget.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 635

Special guest Laurie Ann Smith


Friday
08/09/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show

Tonight's special guest is Laurie Ann Smith from Calgary, Canada, a long time NAASACA family member who's returning to the show to get us caught up. Laurie does her own talk shows on the BlogTalkRadio service called "The Whole Issue" speaking out against child abuse, and all human rights abuses. Her main focus is child abuse and she shares her own story on many of her shows. Ms Smith writes, "My focus now is Christian based healing via Biblical Counseling information that I am studying for certification. I have an Associates in Biblical Studies at a theological seminary in the USA and I am currently working on a Bachelors of Ministry, following up with a Masters in Biblical Counseling and a Doctorate in Theology, in the next few years to come." And she goes on, "My main goal was and still is to be "one more voice" for abused children, those that did not survive, and those that did. I wanted to be one more voice speaking out against what has always been swept under the carpet and kept secret, hidden behind closed doors and window shades pulled tight. I speak the harsh truth about Child Abuse and I am also a big advocate for education and prevention as well." Laurie is a published author of three books and some poetry. Her three books are all about her story of growing up in an abusive home. All proceeds from her books go to not for profit organizations that work to promote the prevention of Child Abuse. Her poetry is published with Kate Swift's R.S.O.S.A not for profit group called This Tangled Web in the UK, by Chipmunka Publishing.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 633

Special guest Leah McBride
Wednesday
08/07/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Leah McBride from Cincinnati, Ohio, a survivor of both child abuse and domestic violence. Leah and her three younger sisters grew up in a tumultuous situation with a violent mother who frequently left the kids in the care of her brothers, their sexually abusive uncles. When bruises were discovered on the girls at school, there began a cycle of being passed back and forth between their father, their mother and foster care. At one point her mother forced Ms McBride, at 14, to feed the family and her mom's crack addiction by selling drugs. The following year her closest sister hung herself. At 17 she had 2 heart attacks. In her late 20s she earned a degree in Criminal Justice, but turned to drugs and alcohol and the next period of her life led Leah to becoming a stripper, drug dealer and pimp. She struggled through periods of sobriety and near madness, eventually learning to incorporate her parts of life story into successful comedy appearances. Not long ago she was sexually assaulted by a fellow comic who she thought of as a brother. Leah says, "I wanted to die. I wanted to kill myself but God wouldn't let me." She continues, "I decided to stop playing with God and do more for God and help others. I am very open, brutally honest and transparent about my life because that's what you have to be in order to help others." Now a successful comedienne, she frequently performes at colleges, prisons, social service agencies and churches, says, "I just want to make God proud of me and help as many people through my pain with my public speaking and comedy!"
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 631

Special guest Danyelle Calcagno

Monday
08/05/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Danyelle Calcagno from Kansas City, a once neglected and emotionally traumatized child who's now an adult in recovery, on the peer committee and doing community outreach with Veronicas Voice, an anti trafficking organization. Danyelle grew up in Portland in a home with drug and alcohol addicted parents. At about age 10 she had to begin raising her younger sister. Around age 14 her mother left the family. Later she had a child with an extremely abusive alcoholic man. She raising their daughter for 10 yrs before he forced her to give the girl to his mother when he was in prison. Danyelle ended up in Las Vegas, working in the adult entertainment industry (AKA sex trafficking industry)  for about 5 years. She returned to Portland where she successfully defeated cancer, and worked off and on in the industry as a Professional Dominatrix until about 6 months ago. That's when she began attending meetings at Veronica's Voice in Kansas City, MO, where the Mission is to enforce, encourage and empower victims of commercial sexual exploitation (sex trafficking / prostitution) to make lifestyle changes which lead to recovery of their minds, bodies and spirits. Danyelle reports it has been extremely helpful to her and writes, "It has enabled me to give my mother another chance, and reinvent myself.  My mother was molested by her father and I understand that she suppressed her pain with substances and men. Hence, she couldn't give me something she did not have." Ms Calcagno hopes to get involved in the non profit sector as a wellness consultant and is planning on trying out for the reality show ~Survivor~ in Vail on the 17th of August.  As she puts it, "I know I am truly a Survivor."
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 627

Special guest Patsy Giddings
Tuesday
07/30/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Patsy (Patti) Giddings from Tennessee, a survivor of severe child abuse who went through foster care after she was adopted at the age of six. She's now a die-hard child abuse advocate and author of the book "Sandy's Miracle." Due to the severe child abuse Patsy suffered as a child, she and her husband became foster parents themselves, doing this for two years before becoming volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). Their passion runs deep and personal in a determination to help abused children. Patsy went on to become a voice of advocacy, giving public lectures to bring awareness of the desperate need existing in modern day America, to protect our children. This is how she spends her time when she is not writing. From California, to Michigan, and Mississippi, Ms Giddings' book, ‘Sandy’s Miracle’, delves into some of mankind’s darkest depravities – regarding physical, mental, and sexual child abuse. She personally experienced extraordinary incidents of cruelty and rape from those in her own family, in social entities, and eventually in the clutches of her adopted family. The secrets behind the scenes of these social iniquities are revealed. But Patsy’s ‘miracle’ (Sandy’s Miracle) came at the least expected time as God intervened into her life with salvation and rescue.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 626

Special guest Nomi Abadi

Monday
07/29/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Nomi Abadi from Los Angeles, a survivor of extreme child abuse who comes from a family of accomplished musicians and is now a teacher in her craft. A piano prodigy herself, Nomi began playing the instrument at the age of 3. Her overbearing, demanding and abusive father became her piano instructor. She says, "My father's abuse has completely changed who I am, and, as of today, for the better. I have become a very strong person in learning that what he did to me actually had nothing to do with me." She continues, "I have spoken many times for children at schools on behalf of keeping music mandatory education, but am more interested in speaking in front of a crowd that I can identify with on a deeper level. Having been abused at an early age, and divorcing my father at the age of 12, I have a lot of insight and coping mechanisms to share." Today Nomi looks back on her life, the trouble eating, the deep depression and being hospitalized for attempted suicides, once on her sixteenth birthday, and once more when she was almost seventeen. Nomi shares, "I have had many bumps along the road to arrive where I am today. But I would love to share my journey of coping with abuse. Though some days I still struggle, I have healed to become the strong woman I am today. If I could go back in time and show my 10-year-old self who and where I am today, I would have had hope earlier on."
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 625

Special guest Felicia Johnson



Friday
07/26/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show

Tonight's special guest is Felicia Johnson from Atlanta, a child abuse survivor and author of "Her: a novel inspired by loss." The story is about a seventeen year old girl named Kristen, a girl who suffers from Borderline Personality Disorder. She and her brother are survivors of child abuse. As Felicia explains, "The story was inspired by a childhood friend of mine, named Holly, who suffered from BPD. We were best friends. Holly lost her battle with depression and BPD when we were 15 years old and took her own life. I wrote this book in Holly's memory and dedicated it to her." Ms Johnson will talk about Borderline Personality Disorder and share her story (and Holly's). She continues, "This is a subject that I feel strongly about. It should be discussed, even though some may find it taboo and hard to talk about, it's necessary to create awareness about child abuse and mental health." According to Ms Johnson, the story is an example of how, if we try to push the past away, we are either doomed to repeat it or let it haunt us to our graves. Felicia is now studying Clinical Psychology. But she says, ".. writing brings out many relatable emotions and thoughts to share with others. I don't only write for myself, but I write for others. I enjoy research, solving issues, and helping people, especially through my writing. I try to always write with a purpose. It is as Maya Angelou said, ‘I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget with you did, but people will not forget how you made them feel.' I write to make my readers feel.” Follow Ms Johnson's BLOG.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 621

Special guest E.L. Farris



Monday
07/22/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show

Tonight's special guest is EL Farris from Virginia, a now-thriving survivor of child sexual abuse and best selling author who strives to help other women find healing from the effects of PTSD. Ms Farris is an ex-lawyer, a married mother of three, a writing coach and an advocate for abused women and children. Her first novel is Ripple, available on Amazon. In Ripple, a team of women at a shelter for abused women, lawyers and therapists, help a 15-year old girl heal after she is raped by her father. EL writes, "Many readers have commented that although the plot is in places heartbreaking, the topic is handled with extreme 'grace and care' for the readers. 'In each instance where I was affected or triggered,' writes one sexual abuse survivor, 'immediately following, in the next sentence or paragraph, were the perfect words or scene to bring everything I was feeling to a safe place.' Although Ripple is a work of fiction, it also has therapeutic value. As a recent reviewer explains: From a therapeutic standpoint, Ripple is not only a means of helping support systems to understand what goes on inside of those who are abused but it validates these thoughts and feelings for the victims." Ms Farris reports, "Recently, I also received a note from a woman whose counselor recommended Ripple to her: I think Ripple was an amazing book. It's definitely a story of hope and healing. My counselor recommended it to me and I am very glad she did. I recommend it to anyone who is in need of healing." EL Farris is very grateful for the help she's receiving in getting the word out to her fellow survivors. If you have any questions or would like to speak with her further, please contact her at: www.elfarris.com
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 617

Special guest Claire Cappetta

Tuesday
07/16/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Claire Cappetta from Long Island, NY, a survivor of rape domestic violence and stalking. Claire also reports of being held hostage and of being verbally, mentally and physically abused, too. She's a creative writer who retired from the financial world to concentrate on the dream of publishing a first novel, "A Broken SRing; A Woman's Journey from Abuse to Empowerment" now available at Amazon. It follows a woman's journey through relationships, abuse and domestic violence through to inspiration and empowerment. Although a difficult topic to cover the story is heartwarming and inspiring.  Ms. Cappetta understands that rape, abuse and domestic violence are difficult topics to cover but rather than looking at it as a deep, dark subject, wants to throw light, humor and empowerment at it, to show people there's 'Light at the end of the tunnel' .. that the journey victims / survivors have been through will forever change them, but it also made them stronger, and they should be proud to say they survived instead of trying to hide it. She knows this because this has been her own journey. Claire has written a second novel "Stalking Liberty; A Woman's journey from Abuse to Freedom" is due to be released in September 2013. Follow her BLOG
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 616

Special guest David Pittman

Monday
07/15/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is David Pittman from Ft Lauderdale, FL, Exec Dir of Together We Heal. He's spent years on a healing journey that continues to this very day. This led Dave to seek out groups specifically for men as well as those who had been through a similar trauma and ultimately inspired the foundation of Together We Heal. TWH is focused on providing counseling and guidance for those who have suffered the trauma of childhood sexual abuse and educating the public on matters of CSA. As the Executive Director of Together We Heal, David works to educate the public through speaking and collaborating with other groups to raise awareness and expose the sexual predator's methods. TWH now works with therapists, counselors and groups aiding both men and women in their efforts to heal, grow and thrive. He is also the South Florida Area Support Group Leader for SNAP, Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests. TWH is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, charitable organization, funded in part by angel donors who give from their hearts to make this work possible. TWH wants to thank them publicly for their generosity and support of survivors of CSA.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 612

Special guest Maxine Browne

Tuesday
07/09/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Maxine Browne from Delaware, abuse survivor, activist and author of "Years of Tears," which Maxine describes as "One family's journey through domestic violence. This is a story of not only the years of abuse, but of the recovery and hope that this family now so courageously shares." Maxine's web site (www.dv-recovery.com) explains: "Most of us think of physical assault when the issue of domestic violence is mentioned. However, many women are brutalized by tactics of power and control that cripple them mentally and emotionally without a single trip to the hospital. This is one such story. Maxine and her children lived with a man who controlled every aspect of their lives. The end result of ten grueling years of abuse was three completely destroyed lives. This is a story of not only the years of abuse, but of the recovery and hope that this family now so courageously shares." Maxine Browne has dedicated her life to increasing understanding of domestic violence and how to enjoy healthier relationships. In her workshops she tells stories of abuse and recovery that will inspire you to press past your present circumstances to create the life you want for your family.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 611

Special guest CW Seymore

Monday
07/08/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is CW Seymore from Florida, abuse survivor, blogger and author of "Shards of Glass" which is available through Amazon.com, etc. Writing under a pen name to protect her family, Ms Seymore describes the book as something that will appeal to all those who have suffered in silence at the hands of a guardian or protector, or those who've experienced domestic abuse, extreme physical abuse, verbal degradation, mental anguish, rape and /or sexual molestation. "Please, Lord, don't let him find me," was Ms Seymore's constant prayer. She explains, "This was my cry in desperation for 'help' and 'rescue' that never came from my father in the countless tragic, horrifying events that occurred throughout my childhood. Through tears, in pain, experiencing shock or fearing for my life .. this prayer was uttered in earnest." She goes on, "This [healing] journey has been tremendously difficult! Recalling the past and reliving the intense fear and pain associated with each memory was emotionally draining awakening my many 'triggers' and sending them into overdrive, causing severe panic attacks, anger and intense anxiety. "Shards of Glass" is healing for me, ending the silence and [bringing me] one step closer to the Higher Calling the Lord has planned for my life." Her fervent wish is, ".. that these stories and vivid accounts will help other survivors find hope, healing and comfort in knowing they are not alone!"
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 610

Special guest Camero Logan
Friday
07/05/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Camero Logan from Rochester NY, a Criminal Justice Professional. Ms. Logan has worked with survivors of domestic violence and with youth that have suffered abuse and trauma throughout their lives. She has worked in the 7th Judicial court system as an advocate for victims of domestic violence who need an order of protection and linkage to community resources. She is a dedicated to providing support and services to anyone affected by domestic violence. Recently, Ms. Logan created a risk/danger assessment and strategic safety plan to be used at the YWCA of Rochester and Monroe County. She is a graduate of Medaille College with a Bachelor of Science in Government Services with a concentration in Criminal Justice as well as Keuka College with a Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration. Ms. Logan will be attending Nova Southeastern University in the fall to pursue her Ph.D. in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Behavioral Sciences.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 609

Special guest Lika Salicente
Thursday
07/04/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Lika Saliscente from Wisconsin, a lobbyist who specializes in issues related to women and children. She's also the founder of the Youth Voice Initiative, an action group, to take an active stand against those who abuse children. The YVI is a social welfare organization which authors and lobbies the innovative and groundbreaking laws needed to protect children from the dangers that arise from abuse and take away the tools for child predators who conspire to commit crimes against children. It also addresses the growing problem of domestic violence against men and fathers, as well as other abuses against our children. YVI also gathers support for these laws and build awareness to the problems that inspire them. Lika writes, "I have successfully lobbied the State of Wisconsin for Act 177, a fair pay bill for equal work as well as the "Mini Skirt Bill" which renders the attire of the rape victim inadmissible as evidence against the victim in the court of law." And she goes on, "I've also successfully lobbied for the federal law called the Violence Against Women Act of 1993. The Safer Campuses for Women was written by the Wisconsin student body." YVI is currently working on April's Law Wisconsin, currently going to the floor of the State Assembly, and the federal version yet to be introduced. We are also still working on getting equal services, shelter and support for our male abuse victims, as currently there are little to nothing for them. Read Ms Saliscente's BLOG at: www.likaslaments.blogspot.com
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 607

Special guest Mandy Trouten



Tuesday
07/02/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show



Tonight's special guest is Mandy Trouten from South Carolina, a child abuse survivor and anti-violence and abuse activist who does peer counseling. Ms Trouten is also an author. Her first book is "Maybe Today," and a second one, "Shadows of Night," is coming this fall. "I write about sexual violence because I saw it first-hand'" she says. "I have relatives and friends who are victims. I've seen first-hand the damage it can do to a person's life, as well as the ways in which our society still ignores and even condones it." When younger, she found an anti-abuse network on MySpace where the stories of other victims/survivors and the many pages of statistics about different kinds of abuse helped her find her mission in life. Mandy writes, "More than anything, I enjoy helping victims/survivors of abuse in their path to healing. I have always said I would undo the abuse and its effects in a heartbeat, but I am grateful for the opportunity God gave me to use my experience. I grew up hearing that there's a silver lining to every cloud and I used to think 'not this one.' In time, I realized 'not this one yet.'" She goes on to say, "If I had never had to experience the undeserved attentions of classmates, my life might have been normal. I might have gotten the career in architecture that I've always dreamed of, but I would not be a part of the fight against abuse because I would know nothing about it. That's my silver lining."
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 604

Special guest Florentina Rustanoviski

Thursday
06/27/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Florentina (Tina) Rusanovschi from New Jersey, a survivor of severe abuse who's also the frustrated mother of a sexually abused child, a 13 year old son who is back living in the custody of her pedophile ex-husband. Born in Romania, Tina came to the US with her family at 7 years old. Because both parents worked, she and her sister grew up in an orphanage from the time she was born until her family left to come to the United States. As children living in a 3rd world country, they were exposed to a lot of poverty, and had to stand in line for food which was rationed for each family. One of her mother's boyfriends raped her at the age of 4 in a public bathroom. Another time she was kidnapped out of a bread line and awoke to find herself on the street partially dressed. Immigrating to the United States didn't help much. Tina's mother went into a deep depression. Homesick, she failed to learn the English language. She started to drink, beat her kids, and have boyfriends. Eventually she found odd jobs, often with an employer / boyfriend who "really loved little girls." The two sisters were raped at every opportunity, but eventually were able to report and prosecute one of their abusers. At 13 Tina and her sister went into foster care, where one of their friends had parents who were police officers. Healing began. But the system insisted on putting kids back with their families. Tina's mother did everything she could to humiliate her children and her husband, who failed to protect his daughters. Until this day Tina and her sister have absolutely no relationship with either parent. Now residing in New Jersey, Tina's also here to talk about the legal struggle she's having with her ex-husband who has been keeping her 13 year old son from her. It's well documented that the boy has suffered sexual abuse caused by his dad for many years, at least since he was 5 years old. Tina blames a lot of the problem on "the system" but is determined to get her son back to safety.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 603

Special guest Dr Howard Fradkin
Wednesday
06/26/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Dr. Howard Fradkin from Columbus, Ohio, child abuse survivor and one of the founding board members of MaleSurvivor (MaleSurvivor.org). Dr. Fradkin has counseled over 1000 male survivors in individual, couples, group psychotherapy and weekend workshops over the course of his 28 year career as a Psychologist. As Co-Chairperson of the MaleSurvivor Weekends of Recovery, Howard has directed 34 Weekends of Recovery since 2001 for over 600 men. Dr. Fradkin has trained hundreds of professional colleagues on the topic of psychotherapy with male survivors of sexual abuse. In 2010, Dr. Fradkin delivered the keynote address at the International MaleSurvivor Conference in New York City. He also served as President of MaleSurvivor and served on the Board of Directors for 6 years prior to developing the Weekends of Recovery program. In November, 2010, Dr. Fradkin was invited to speak as an expert on two well-known 200 Men: Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse "Oprah Winfrey Shows." The shows will featured 200 male survivors gathered together to offer hope and inspiration for the millions of survivors around the world. Dr. Fradkin is the founder of Affirmations: A Center for Psychotherapy and Growth, in Columbus, Ohio. He authored "Joining Forces: Empowering Male Survivors to Thrive," is an inspirational book written to empower male survivors of sexual victimization to develop skills they can use to overcome the effects of trauma and learn to thrive in their lives. The book is unique in that it is based on the experiences of over 850 male survivors who have participated in MaleSurvivor Weekends of Recovery.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 599

Special guest Teresa Belsky

Thursday
06/20/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Teresa Belsky of North Platt, Nebraska, an abuse survivor and activist who's especially concerned with anti-trafficking campaigns, issues of child porn and Internet crimes against women and children. Teresa writes, "My first major nervous breakdown began after the FBI came to our door to question my then husband about child pornography. To make a long story short, I wasn't his camera's only victim." (He had been hiding a camera for 10 years) "I started having flashbacks of attacks mixed with memories of happiness. A cycle. I was married to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." In the ensuing few years, Teresa suffered from numerous embarrassments, flashbacks and humiliations. Bouts of PTDS were frequent. Teresa says, "The moral of my story is to be careful how the use of porn can affect your life. I understand that my ex started pornography materials at age 5 from 3pm to 5pm every day after school. Unfortunately, he was raped by a neighbor man at the age of 7." She concludes, "Thank you for allowing me to pass the lesson I learned on to you. By doing so, I did not suffer in vain." She's returned to school and is planning to open an office of W.C.A.I.C. (Women and Children Affected by Internet Crimes) in North Platte in 2015. "When I initially sought help in the past, I was told 'Sorry, we can't help you. NO ONE is trained in that area.' Thus... I am a Psychology major and future Therapist for Human Trafficking Victims / Survivors in 2015 (after I graduate)."
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 598

Special guest Peter Thomas Senese
Wednesday
06/19/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Peter Thomas Senese from Los Angeles (and New York City) is a best-selling author, a filmmaker, a child advocate and global activist. Peter Senese is the founding director of the not-for-profit I CARE Foundation, dedicated to preventing International Child Abduction. Ever since he was a young man, Peter has embraced the idea that it was a privilege to help others, leading him to assist in the creation of several transitional housing complexes for battered women and their children. He's been steadfast in his support for at-risk women. After discovering his gift for writing he began making significant donations to a large number of libraries in the United States and Canada. Eventually he began working to protect children from international parental child abduction and human trafficking. A prolific author, he donates 100% of his royalties to his self-funded, not-for-profit I CARE Foundation. Of special note is the just released Universal International Travel Child Consent Form, a world-wide game changer. Peter writes, "The I CARE Foundation has helped rescue many internationally kidnapped children while also preventing many more abductions from occurring. The foundation's achievements are many, yet in comparison to the problem at hand, there is much to be done, particularly since it is expected that as many as 200,000 children living in North America will be internationally kidnapped over the next decade."
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 597

Special guest Christopher Anderson

Tuesday
06/18/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show

Tonight's special guest is Christopher Anderson from New York City, a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and the Executive Director of MaleSurvivor.org. A passionate advocate for survivors of sexual abuse, Chris joined the organization in 2007 after coming to understand the extent to which the sexual abuse and trauma he suffered as a child profoundly affected his life. He speaks publicly about his own experiences as a survivor of sexual abuse. In 2007 he created the presentation, "Ten Things Every Therapist Should Know About Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse." At the 2012 MaleSurvivor Conference he co-presented "Ten Things Every Partner of a Male Survivor of Sexual Abuse Needs to Know." In addition, he authored "Hope, Healing, and Support: The elements of recovery" speaking to groups all over the country about a new paradigm for healing from all forms of trauma and abuse. Chris also collaborated with a number of other MaleSurvivor Weekend of Recovery Alumni on Dr. Howard Fradkin's upcoming book, Joining Forces: Empowering Male Survivors to Thrive. Chris has attended 3 MaleSurvivor Weekends of Recovery and was one of the 200+ survivors who took part in the historic Oprah Winfrey Show special episodes highlighting the truth of Male Sexual Abuse that aired in November 2010. Chris is also a founding member of the Males For Trauma Recovery workgroup (M4TR) organized by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA).
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 594

Special guest Ica Iova

Thursday
06/13/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Ica Iova from Vancouver, Canada, a freelance journalist with the Examiner.com. She frequently writes about social and family issues. A few years ago, when her daughter was experiencing a particularly nasty divorce, Ms Iova became interested in understanding Hostile-Aggressive Parenting (HAP), a multitude of damaging behaviors exhibited by parents who are involved in separation and divorce. It is mostly used as a court strategy, by parents litigating for custody. She's the published author of 2 books on the subject, “My Children His Victims,” a novel about a woman who discovers her husband's not who she thought he was, and “Your Children First,” a guide to friendly parenting with an unfriendly parent.  Her third book, "Living Apart but Still a Family," is about functional and dysfunctional parenting in two households and offers perspective and advice from her stand-point as a grandmother who helped the family navigate through the difficulties of a bitter divorce. Ica Iova is also the founder of the Broken Home Society, an organization founded in October of 2012 that specializing in working with high conflict divorce and domestic violence families and on parenting issues. The foundation of the society is “Children First Program” – a 3 branch program containing educational programs, counseling services, and open group programs for parents and children. Most of their services will be rendered free of charge.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 590

Special guest Feather Berkower

Friday
06/07/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Feather Berkower from Colorado, a returning NAASCA family member and a 27-year veteran in child sexual abuse prevention. Using a community-based approach, she has trained over 100,000 school children, parents and professionals! Her highly-regarded workshop, Parenting Safe Children, empowers adults to keep children safe from sexual abuse. Summer is here, and there are extra concerns for our children. Feather says to parents, "As you finish enrolling your children in summer programs and gear up for their first day, there are a few conversations you might have with program directors, instructors, counselors, and your kids about body safety." She warns us, "The goal of any screening is to invite caregivers onto your prevention team. It's not an interrogation, but rather a conversation." Feather has a way of making difficult topics less scary, and consistently impresses audiences with her knowledge, commitment, and warmth. Parenting Safe Children helped to inspire "Off Limits," a parenting book that will change the way you think about keeping kids safe. "Off Limits" presents easy-to-follow guidelines for making children, homes, and communities off limits to child sexual abusers.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 588

Special guest Robin Marvel
Wednesday
06/05/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Robin Marvel from Michigan, a survivor of child abuse and a young mother who's now a multi-published author and motivational speaker in the field of self-development. Robin survived mental, domestic and drug abuse, homelessness and kidnappings throughout her childhood. She became addicted to alcohol and partying, and at age 15 was sexually assaulted. Robin became a teen mother at age 16 (not related to the sexual assault). She says, "Upon finding out I was having a girl I made the choice that we would not be a statistic. I knew I would have to work hard and I continue to work hard to make sure that is our truth." Eventually she found herself busy raising a large family. She continues, "It is important to me that I am always a great role model for my 5 girls by living with self respect and determination. I took the negative situations I was dealt in life and turned them into motivation and purpose." Ms Marvel's fifth title will be released this summer, "Life Check ~ 7 Ways To Balance Your Life!"  The new book provides simple, effective ways to balance your life, encouraging you to stop asking "what if?" and start living the life you have imagined. Freeing yourself from the mundane routine of life, "Life Check" provides life tools that will get you rocking the boat, diving in and finding your passion for being alive. Robin concludes, "My passion is to use my story to show others that they are not a product of their past, to show them that even though we may face challenges we have the power to live the life of our dreams by breaking cycles and taking personal responsibility in our lives now. I am proof of this." Using the unfortunate circumstances she lived as a child Robin encourages others to live a life of confidence and strength.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 584

Special guest Charmaine Loverin
Thursday
05/30/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Charmaine Loverin from Toronto, Canada, a survivor of childhood abuse and an now an activist who's promoting the concept of Empowering Voices Awareness Month, a profound movement related to child abuse prevention and awareness in Canada. Charmaine grew up in a small town, was sexually abused by 3 men in her family, physically and emotionally tormented and socially bullied. Now she's a mother of 2, passionate in her career involving the healing and protecting of families in children through her work as Coach/Facilitator with her own practice, "Ruthless Coaching". She's also Canada's top fundraiser for Sick Kids Hospital through her employment with Public Outreach Group. Her mission is to transform constrained partnerships of divorced/separated families into new trust, ease and workability away from the past for the future of children involved. Now a facilitator and public speaker Charmaine has gone through vast amounts of self development healing and transformation. Charmaine's own story has been both published & heard around the world through public speakings at schools, advocacy, conferences, documentaries and radio talk shows. The words she lives by are from her child Pastor "God will always hold your hand when you tell the truth". She proactively continues her self / professional development to enrich and enhance her purpose of empowering ALL human beings towards their own Power of Choice.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 583

Special guest Rick Goodwin
Wednesday
05/29/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Rick Goodwin, MSW RSW, from Ottawa, co-founder and Executive Director of "The Men's Project" and National Manager and Senior Trainer for 1in6 Canada. The Men's Project is a non-profit charitable men's counseling agency that has been providing services to men and their families since 1997. They provide individual and couple counseling, as well as a specialized healing program for men who have experienced sexual or physical abuse as children, anger management, emotional intelligence and fathering. Services are specifically designed for men and professionally facilitated by accredited psychotherapists. Individual programs are tailored to specifically meet men's needs in a way that speaks to men. All their programs are open to straight, gay and bisexual men. 1in6 Canada, named for the number of men who have been sexually abused in Canada, calls itself "Canada's knowledge center on male sexual trauma and recovery." The 1in6 Canada web site says, "If you are a man who was sexually abused as a child or sexually assaulted as an adult, you are not alone, you are not to blame and the feelings and thoughts you are having are normal. More importantly, healing and a better life are possible—you, your family and your friends need to know that. And finding that help may be just a click away." Learn more about how you can help here. We'd love to hear from you.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 582

Special guest Brenda Plumley
Tuesday
05/28/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show


Tonight's special guest is Brenda Plumley of Utica, NY, a survivor of severe child abuse who credits her painting as being an important ingredient in her recovery. As a survivor and activist, Ms Plumley expresses her recovery through her fine art, describing her work as Survivor of Childhood Sexual Abuse art. "I donate my work to organizations advocating against Childhood Sexual Abuse, Domestic Violence." Brenda says. "I hope to get sponsors to be able to create more work and donate it to organizations all around the world." She continues, "I know how important speaking out is and how many other survivors have been helped by those who chose to speak out, just as I have been helped by hearing stories and words from other survivors. I am not as alone as I thought for a time before." Brenda also posts regularly on a page called Above Trauma, where she writes, "Healing from severe trauma seems hopeless sometimes. Dealing with life on a daily basis so difficult. I can be ok then all of a sudden just feel like I can end my life. I get so disappointed when friends, even therapists, say 'you need to let it go,' 'forget about the past,' when I know that it is more for them as not to deal with negativity. I have learned that severe trauma literally has a huge physical effect on the brain." She goes on, "I can look to doctors for help or therapists, I can look to friends to help me along this path but the responsibility to heal is mine. If it was not possible then the universe wouldn't have included it in it's agenda! Wake Up to the light inside you, you can create healing inside you now! Just as you are faults and all!"
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 578

Special topic: Changes in the DSM-5
Wednesday
05/22/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's show features a discussion of the special topic "Changes in the DSM-5" led by returning family member Daisy from New Mexico. These are issues that concern anyone interested in mental health and recovery from childhood trauma. "DSM-5" stands for the Fifth Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, which was released at the American Psychiatric Association's Annual Meeting in May 2013. It marked the end of more than a decade's journey in revising the criteria for the diagnosis and classification of mental disorders. The DSM is one of the basic "bibles" of the professional mental health industry. Daisy wanted to alert the NAASCA group as to the fact that an Open Letter was written by board members of The Society for Humanistic Psychology (Division 32 of the APA) to the DSM-5 Task Force. The points in the Open Letter are discussed on the web site: www.DSM5-reform.com. As the web site explains, "Though others (e.g., the British Psychological Society, American Counseling Association, and prominent psychiatrists) have critiqued these proposals, American psychologists have remained relatively silent. However, our work is heavily affected by any changes to the manual. Therefore, our goal is to provide a unified response on the part of American psychologists as a professional community." Following that are bullet points that explain the issues. The link to the group's petition is on the same page. Please read and sign the petition if you are in support. You can also leave your general comments.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 576

Special guest Elizabeth Powell

Monday
05/20/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Elizabeth (Beth) Powell, MS, MA, from St Louis, a clinical psychologist whose major life passion, as she explains it, is “to teach everyone the coping skills we all wish we had learned by high school.” Her new e-Book, "Talking Back To Sexual Pressure," is just out in a third edition, and earlier won the Award for Excellence as the Best Self-help Book of the Year from the Midwest Independent Publishers Association. Beth writes, "Words have great power. They can guide. They can comfort and instruct. They can entertain. They can also injure us in ways that are hard to shake off. Often knowing the right words–what to say–is a major coping skill for life's problems." We'll explore how the skills and cognitive suggestions in her book, "Talking Back To Sexual Pressure" can be used to help survivors--or anyone else interested in how to be more comfortable in potentially sexual situations. Trained in psychodrama and role play, Powell enjoys using humor. She also writes for children, where she sneaks in some coping skills whenever possible. She is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. She was Professor of Psychology at St. Louis Community College for many years, where she taught Child Development, Human Sexuality, and the Psychology of Coping Strategies. Now she writes full time. Her web site is www.epowellbooks.com
"Community Matters" This Week - 271

Special guest Marko Hamlin
Sunday
05/19/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight we had an unexpected special guest, returning family member Marko Hamlin from Washington DC. First abused as a four year old child, his single mother struggled with alcoholism. As a teenager, Marko suffered from substance abuse himself, joined the Army and eventually became a professional basketball player. The world was at his fingertips, yet he remained troubled and in pain. This rocky road continued for a while until he asked to God for help. Marco credits his relationship with God as being the most important ingredient in his life. His lovely wife and beautiful daughter are certainly testament to that. Eventually he was led to attend Lancaster Bible College, where just 24 hours ago, he was awarded a degree in Business in the Class of 2013. Marko was given the opportunity to address those gathered in a Commencement Speech where he spoke publicly for the first time about his child abuse, his traumas in early adulthood and the path of healing he's now on .. his recovery (please see the VIDEO). "This was the first time I shared my testimony in person!" Marko says, "I stepped out on faith and God confirmed that I am doing what he called me to do! A few people came to me afterwards and let me know that they were abused also! I will continue to raise awareness so that this abuse doesn't happen to our children! I will continue to help men and women heal from their past, we can overcome! God is awesome and he wants us free and not in bondage!"
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 575

Special guest Lurleen Hilliard

Friday
05/17/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Lurleen Hilliard, from Ireland, a child abuse activist and author of the soon to be released book "Survivors Not Statistics." Lurleen's activism reaches far across "the pond" as she's in regular phone contact working with American, Canadian and others overseas. Two of her sons were abused as children, sexually and violently. Lurleen has numerous opinions and issues that are especially important to her: 1) Education of all children to be included in the National Curriculums from kindergarten upwards, 2) Compulsory ankle bracelet with full GPS trackers on all accused of sexual abuse against kids, 3) Compulsory jail sentence once a man or woman is convicted of sexual assault of a child should be life imprisonment without ever the possibility of parole or the death penalty. She says, "Human rights activists would say that the above jail sentence infringes on the criminal's human rights and personally the way that I look on it is simple .. they lost the right to be treated as a human being the second they decided in their head to abuse and hurt or murder a child for their own gratification." For more info about the book "Survivors Not Statistics" write to Lurleen at: nolongervictims@hotmail.com
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 573

Special guest Mike Tikkanen
Wednesday
05/15/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Mike Tikkanen from Minnesota, founder of KARA (Kids at Risk Action), whose web site is at www.InvisibleChildren.org. He's also the author of the free book "Invisible Children; the American cycle of abuse and its cost." Mike's focus this year is speaking to CASA organizations & on college campuses. He explains, "The need for civic involvement of young future community leaders is the solution to America's At Risk Youth problem. Without today's college students understanding and support, schools will continue to fail, streets to be unsafe, and jails to fill." His talk addresses the social and political child protection problems and solutions that need action now. Mike speaks at local and national venues and has been the keynote speaker at business, community, and religious organizations. He lead a workshop at the United Nations in New York addressing the rights of children. Since 1996, he's volunteered in the Guardian ad-Litem program as a court-appointed special advocate (CASA) and has worked with over fifty “Invisible Children,” who are part of the County Child Protection System. Mike is passionate about improving the treatment of abused and neglected children and has formed the non-profit, Kid's At Risk Action (KARA) to bring public awareness to children's rights and form action groups to improve public policy towards at-risk children. Contact him at: Mike@Invisiblechildren.org
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 571

Special guest Lynette Robinson
Monday
05/13/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Lynette (Coker) Robinson from New Zealand, child abuse survivor and author of a memoir "Where The Rainbow Fell Down." Ms Robinson wrote me, "Although I suffered sexual abuse, the impact of this was minimal compared to the psychological and religious abuse I was subjected to." This is from her synopsis. "Where the Rainbow Fell Down is a harrowing tale but it is also a story of triumph over adversity and is therefor a story of hope and inspiration for others. Set in mid-century New Zealand, I take the reader on a spellbinding journey back to post-war New Zealand and beyond. I then bring the reader forward as I share our nation's triumphs and tragedies - alongside my own personal ones. I was tormented by the four deadly fears inherited from my mother - God, the Devil, her Father and the Catholic Church. Although a feisty child, this did not save me from coercion into marriage to an older man when I was a teenager. Years of marital unhappiness follow. The second half of the memoir tells the story of the Catholic priest I fell in love with. Our love for each other set him on a collision course with the church." Please see the Facebook Page
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 570

Special guest Melony Kaufman

Friday
05/10/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Melody Kaufman from Seattle, a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, physical violence, emotional traumas and neglect, much of it at the hands of her alcohol and drug influenced mother. Melody asked for this opportunity to share about herself, saying the time had come in her recovery to tell her story in public for the first time. Born into poverty, Melody never knew her father, and was raised by a severely abusive single mother along with her four half siblings. The family survived on welfare. Melody writes, "Christmas time she would take away our gifts after she let us opened them and she would take them back to the store." She continues, "I can't remember the number of times my mother hit me. She used leather belts and wood paddles, often so hard I had deep red welt marks on my back or buttocks. She'd pull my hair and sock me in my mouth drawing blood from my lip." Melody was also neglected badly. "We were allowed to bathe once a week, and we had to wear the same outfit to school 2 to 3 days in a row." Melody was molested as a small child by a 65 year old man who was later arrested and imprisoned. But that was merely the beginning of the sexual assaults she was to endure. "My mother solicited me to prostitution at the age of 15. She had me sleep with men so she could get money to feed her drug and alcohol habit." Melody says, "I got so fed up I ran away from home 4 times, and I attempted suicide 5 times while living at home with my mom." She concludes, "I've isolated myself for 28 years to escape the abuse, and I had GOD with me watching and protecting me. I want to thank you so much for giving me this opportunity to share. I am not at all ashamed or scared of revealing the truth. Sharing the truth is better than carrying the burdens with me."
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 567

Special guest John Chapman
Tuesday
05/07/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is John Chapman from Virginia, a child abuse survivor and thriver. A former law enforcement officer, he's now an activist. Chapman's distant relationship with his abusive and alcoholic father led to his abuse from the ages of 11-13 by a mentor who groomed him by providing him with much-needed attention, encouraging him to do his best, and showering him with gifts. Following the end of the abuse, Chapman became confused about his sexuality, often withdrawing from friends and even contemplating suicide. Through prayer, Chapman overcame those hardships and eventually became a police detective with the intention of helping other abuse victims. He fulfilled this goal when he joined the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, working to track down on-line sexual predators and saving numerous children from suffering their own abuse. After twenty-five years of police work, Chapman retired to start his own healing. As part of that journey, he appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show, “Two Hundred Men Who Were Sexually Abused As Children.” He also appears in the recent documentary film, The Pursuit of Truth. Chapman, who lives with his wife Susan and their three children, is writing a book about his experiences as a survivor and police investigator, and to provide tips to parents for protecting their children from pedophiles. Chapman continues to participate in ongoing therapy. He has come full circle — a victim, a survivor, a protector, and now a thriver.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 566

Special guest Julie Seibert
Monday
05/06/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Julie Seibert from North Carolina, abuse survivor and activist. Through her own recovery, Julie has been blessed to work with a number of healers in a variety of modalities and wants to let the world know of all the amazing alternatives that exist so that people can start reawakening their greatness inside of us all. By helping others heal, Julie believes she continues to heal. She considers most childhood trauma victims to be among what she terms the “walking wounded” .. sleepwalking through life like she was. She wants to change that through the online TV/radio show Reawaken Your Brilliance, a labor of love. When not hosting Reawaken Your Brilliance, Julie is an EcoOrganizer and owner of Healing through Organization and writes grants. She is passionate about her work as these areas allow her to help transform lives and raise money for causes she cares deeply about. Julie no longer relates to being a victim of abuse, but rather sees the gifts that it gave her: compassion and the desire to help others heal. She truly believes each of us is unique with special gifts that are meant to be shared with the world. She is living proof that your past does not need to define you and you can overcome anything!
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 564

Special guest John Thompson

Thursday
05/02/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is John Thompson from New York, child abuse survivor and group facilitator for his local Adult Survivors of Child Abuse meeting. John and his siblings were born to parents who had both suffered abuse and had great mental problems resulting in their often being psychotic. He says, "My mother usually initiated the abuse then my father would join in. My sister became the focus of my mother's own self hatred and I became the focus of my mother's hatred of her father. When I was about six my mother was so mentally ill the family was split up and I and my two brothers went to live with one of my father's brothers who tortured me every day. I would call him criminally insane." In adulthood he was eventually seen by a Freudian therapist who almost never spoke. "Very few therapists at that time received any training dealing with child abuse," says John. "After about eight years I sensed I needed something more from my therapist. I grew up with people who never talked with me and now I had a therapist who never talked. I wanted to connect with other survivors. I wanted to hear what they went through, how they dealt with their experiences and what the whole experience meant to them." Early in 2000 he found the site for The Morris Center and the ASCA program. A couple years were to pass before their first group started up in New York. "I contacted the organizer and started going to meetings. A few years later I took over co-facilitating the meeting and also began volunteering to read and answer messages that come in to the ASCA site."
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 563

Special guest Carter Lee


Wednesday
05/01/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Carter Lee from Houston, Texas, a returning NAASCA family member who was last with us in December of 2011. Carter Lee is president of Innovative Social Dynamics, the author of When Jonathan Cried for Me, a columnist (In That Moment of Space) for The Washington Times Communities, a professional speaker and consultant and hosts a video blog on You Tube. Carter is known for his charismatic speaking style, magnetic personality, and strong self-confidence. He presents his messages with an eloquent diction and style as only he can deliver. Innovative Social Dynamics LLC, is dedicated to one thing: revealing methods for individuals to achieve true inner greatness. As Carter Lee states it: “I know what it's like to have that internal struggle within, accepting some parts of your personality but being in denial of others; feeling good or even great when it came to some situations I was engaged in, but feeling insufficient and not important, or lacking, in other areas of my life." He continues, “I remember when I started my journey in self-improvement and when it actually started working. I began to see myself excited about just of the mere fact that I got to wake up and enjoy being me. It was then I felt that I had stepped from the darkness into the light, and truly started to enjoy living and life to its fullest.”
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 560

Special guest Amie Moran

Friday
04/26/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Amie Moran, a sexual abuse survivor and author of the book "Behind the Quiet." Born and raised in Southern California, she grew up in a broken home and was molested by her first stepdad, who was in her life from when she was about four to twelve years old. It wasn't until she was seventeen and a freshman in college that she was able to admit what happened to her as a child. Always having difficulties verbally expressing herself, it was through her writings that the truth was able to finally come out. Amie says, "I am a sexual abuse survivor. It took many years before I was able to say that, and many more years before I could openly discuss being molested with my family and friends. Through therapy, I discovered how much being abused affected the way I saw and interacted with the world around me. Quiet often, I have difficulties vocalizing my thoughts, so instead, I write." As she began to share her writings, she realized that she wasn't alone in her feelings and struggles. In an effort to help others, Amie has published her writings in a book entitled "Behind the Quiet." By sharing her personal thoughts, she hopes to show others that they are not alone, they are understood and they too can heal. For information about how to get her book, Amie can be reached at Behind_the_quiet@yahoo.com
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 559

Special guest Bruce Montville

Thursday
04/25/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Bruce Montville from New Hampshire. An extremely dedicated volunteer, he's the Founder, President and CEO of LifeWise Community. LifeWise was launched in 1992 on the premise that effective volunteer placements can extend the ability of a nonprofit to provide increased capacity to its customers, while offering the volunteers a meaningful service experience to their community and themselves. In the last several years he has been running some HIGHLY successful mentoring and anti-bullying programs in NH, via the public schools and colleges. The Wildcat Youth Mentors pairs college students with young teens to serve as role models and helps promote healthy attitudes and scholastic success. The Water Guardians program teaches in middle school classrooms how to protect drinking water from contaminants. As it says on the web site, "Accelerated application of our collective social capital becomes an absolute if we are to achieve the unspoken agreement between our ever-evolving generations. Broad citizen participation in the freedoms that allow us to improve our social condition and civic integrity is required if we are to truly make our republic work. LifeWise Community Projects is committed to the advancement of citizen participation as a major investment in the future of our people and our communities."
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 558

Special guest Sue Julsen

Wednesday
04/24/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Sue Julsen from Nevada, a survivor and thriver and author of the bestselling “Bitter Memories” series. Largely, autobiographical, Ms Julsen chose to use fictional names to protect the innocent, and the guilty, from those in real life. Abducted by her father when she was three, the book's main character, Sarah, found herself in a world of criminal neglect and unfathomable oppression as her father, stepmother and many others perpetrated more and more horrible acts of verbal, mental and sexual abuse on the innocent girl. Continually terrified, Sarah formed separate personalities in order to survive. In nightmares, the other personalities would show Sarah the horrific abuse she was being subjected to in her day to day life. This story of the author's early life – a life on the run, hungry, abused, and terrified – is a truly unnerving and gripping account of the extremes of neglect and mistreatment a child can undergo, and still survive. “Bitter Memories,” written with the hope that exposing these horrors will help prevent them from happening to others, is dedicated to all survivors of abuse. “Trophy Murders” is the second in the series, part fiction/part non-fiction, but Sue is currently working on a new and improved second for this series that will be all non-fiction. It will be out later, 2013. “Cutter's Revenge” completes her story. Other published works can be found on her website or BLOG.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 556

Special guest Rachel Grant

Monday
04/22/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Rachel Grant, MA, from San Francisco, a Trauma Recovery Coach, who was abused as a child by her grandfather in Oklahoma. She works with adult survivors of sexual abuse to help them break free from the past and return to their genuine self. As Ms Grant says, "What you think, you create!" Rachel brings to the table a passionate belief that her clients do not have to remain trapped or confronted daily by the thoughts or behaviors that result from abuse. Through her own journey of recovery from sexual abuse, she has also gained insight and understanding about what it takes to overcome abuse. This makes it possible for her to relate to and appreciate her clients' struggles intimately. Based on her desire to foster community, intimacy, and connection, Rachel has dedicated much of her time to understanding relationships and communication and how they are impacted by abuse. For her, how we are relating to others is crucial to improving the overall quality of our lives. Her program, Beyond Surviving, has been specifically designed to change the way we think about and heal from abuse. "I'd like to offer a FREE gift to listeners," she says, "Parts 1 & 2 of my guidebook: Beyond Surviving: The Final Stage in Recovery from Sexual Abuse."
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 555

Special guest Patricia (Patti) Tibbits

Friday
04/19/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Patricia (Patti) Tibbits from Illinois, an abuse survivor who founded Mothers Against Child Molesters in 2007. She established the group "with hopes to bring awareness to the unaware." Patti says she wants to offer hope, moral support and encouragement to survivors of child abuse from someone who experienced abuse in more ways then one. She explains she had her whole entire life ripped from under her, was turned away by her Victims Advocate, and had no voice .. until NOW. She says, "I was molested and abused, I married a child molester who molested my child and many others for years and years, right behind my back." He was eventually prosecuted and given two 20 year consecutive prison sentences. Patti goes on, "I want to change the laws. I want tougher sentences, more intensive therapy and rehab for molesters, so we can get into their brain's. No matter what, they are human, their evilness comes from somewhere inside." Patti concludes, ".. maybe we can stop them before they attack. We need to take a stand for those with no voice."
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 554

Special guest Justin Smith

Thursday
04/18/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Justin Smith from New Jersey, a child abuse survivor who's found his healing through music. He calls himself "J.Mello" these days, but that wasn't always the case. In his own words, "I can't lie: my parents had money. But just because you grow up with money, doesn't mean life was all shopping malls and Tiffany and Co. China sets. Your parents can have millions in the bank, but that doesn't mean nothing if all you get for Christmas is ornament thrown at you and a Grinch for a father." He continues, "My mother and siblings knew what was going on, but as long as the credit card worked, they didn't wanna stop the Celebration. Growing up, I tried to forget about all this stuff, but it kept coming up. I lashed out a lot as a teenager - messed around with drugs, bounced in and out of juvenile homes, was homeless here and there. Hell, I even did a year and a half in jail." Justin reveals he'd "been sexually molested by nanny, handcuffed to a fence and beaten with a rock, over and over while my mother just watched. That's when the music really took over my life and I realized that [music] was my therapy. See, music's in my blood. My dad co-founded Kool and the Gang." Two of Justin's own tracks are “Torture” and “One More Try.” He concludes by asserting, "I hope to break the silence of those that have had similar experiences and let my album be an outlet for those who went through what I went through!" Please see: www.jmellorock.com
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 552

Special guest Susan Saufoa-Dinino
Tuesday
04/16/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show

Tonight's special guest is Susan Suafoa-Dinino from Tennessee, founder of the Speaking Out Against CSA non profit organization. Susan's a returning family member, who'll be catching us up on what she's been up to since we last heard from her in 2012 (please see SCAN episode #253). Of special note will be her upcoming "A Safe Place" Workshop on child sexual abuse (CSA) awareness and prevention. The event will be held in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, on Friday, April 26, and is one of the things Susan's doing in recognition of April being the 30th Annual Child Abuse Awareness month. The workshop is open to the public and is designed to appeal to any adult who's concerned about the safety of children. Parents, grandparents, church leaders, ministers, daycare providers, caregivers, teachers, and healthcare professionals will benefit, as will anyone who works with or around children. In 2000, Susan was faced with a very real issue in which she was unfamiliar .. the horrifying truth and reality of child sexual abuse (CSA). "Since that time," she writes, "I have been trying to figure out a way to help children who are Sexually Abused. The task seemed impossible once I read the statistics and learned about the failures of the systems in place that are supposed to protect children. The truth is that we live in a fallen world in which many children are robbed of their innocence by Sexual Predators."
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 548

Special guests Tammie Ortiz and Mark Crever


Wednesday
04/10/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guests are Tammie Ortiz from Rome, New York, child abuse and domestic abuse survivor, and the co-author of her book, Mark Crever. Ms Ortiz says, "There is one thing that my abusers could not take from me. I still have Jesus in me. With this I will continue heal and walk in my new journey now. I will be strong and inspire others to keep finding their healing." Her e-book "My Spiritual Healing Though Jesus" (written under the pseudenem Angel Joan) was written in the hopes that others will be convinced to give up the secrets of their youth and enter into recovery. Tammie explains that her e-book describes the trauma that impacted her mental health. "I am recovering from anxiety and agoraphobia now. I had lived in hiding from the public and my family, living in the shame that people would find out I'd been a victim in my home and in my marriage." She continues, "After the last incident of rape and abuse I found a way to escape from my husband. Writing a memoir of my abuse and my healing was a way I healed my past and I hope one day I will inspire other victims to become survivors." She concludes, "I learned a lot through all my pain and I became close to God and trust this is my new journey with him to help stop abuse."
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 547

Special guest Jaime Romo
Tuesday
04/09/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Dr Jaime Romo from San Diego is a NAASCA family member (see also SCAN Episodes #082 & #489) who'll be joining us to discuss Male and Trauma Recovery. Jaime is a member of Males for Trauma Recovery (M4TR), a working group for Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Agency (SAMHSA). He's working on a project to do a literature review of the research and best / promising practices related to males and trauma recovery. Dr. Romo will join us to discuss two basic issues: 1) how to understand males and trauma (the background of the problem); and 2) helping males heal from trauma (the responses and what has been done). As his web site says, "Dr. Jaime Romo is an educator, consultant, and author. He promotes healing from abuse and the prevention of child sexual abuse, particularly abuse by religious authorities or in the context of religious settings." He offers numerous services, including seminars and consulting, and offers workbooks and a newsletter. Jaime's blog, Healing and Spirituality, is about the joys and challenges of life after dealing with clergy abuse, and features interviews with fellow advocates for healing and spiritual vitality. Please see: www.jaimeromo.com
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 543

Special guest Candace Conti & Rick Simon


Wednesday
04/03/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show

Tonight's specail guest is Candace Conti, the first person to successfully to sue a Jehovah's Witness elder for childhood sexual abuse. She'll be joined by her attorney, Rick Simon. Mr Simon was the lead attorney in the coordinated cases in Northern California known as Clergy 3 (primarily Catholic victims) and has represented over 250 victims of childhood sexual assault (CSA). He tried 5 cases to jury trial verdict. Candace is a survivor who was the first victim to successfully bring a case to trial against the Jehovah's Witnesses, resulting in the largest jury verdict ($28,000,001) for a single victim of child sex abuse in a religious setting in the country. The Jehovah's Witnesses is responsible for the entire punitive damages amount and 40 % of the compensatory damages, explained Rick Simons. Sixty % of the compensatory damages was assessed against Jonathan Kendrick, the man accused of abusing her. "The ultimate goal of the lawsuit was to have a change in policy, to be able to ID these people, child molesters, to the congregation to protect children," according to Ms. Conti. "Secondarily, to have silent ones come forward and tell their stories and to bring to light that overall issue of violence and the hush-hush policy." Both her parents were Watchtower congregation members at the time of the abuse, she said. "I was trying to be the best Jehovah's Witness I could be at that time." The jury found that the elders who managed the congregation in the 1990s knew that Kendrick, a member, had recently been convicted of the sexual abuse of another child, but they kept his past record secret. Kendrick went on to molest the plaintiff over a two-year period beginning when she was 9 years old. Kendrick was eventually convicted in 2004 of the sexual abuse of another girl, and is now a registered sex offender in California.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 541

Special guest Lynn Tolson
Monday
04/01/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Lynn Tolson, NAASCA family member from Colorado, author of the autobiographical book Beyond the Tears: A True Survivor's Story. Beyond the Tears begins with the suicide attempt of an abused and addicted twenty-five-year-old woman. In the aftermath, she commits to counseling to recover from anxiety and depression associated with post-traumatic stress disorder. The author engages the reader in therapy sessions where the young woman reveals dysfunctional family relationships, including domestic violence, sexual abuse, and mental illness. Due to the therapeutic process, the woman discovers a path to love and the value of life, and she ultimately achieves a life that reflects health and happiness. In sharing this inspirational journey, the author provides a message of hope. She seeks to break the silence, comfort other victims, and challenge our society. She says, "It's important to note that statistics reveal that an estimated 14 percent of those who experienced sexual assault may attempt suicide. This accounts for only those who made the connection obvious. I wonder about the empty percentage of those who make no association between rape and suicide. How could I know that my deep despair, overwhelming despondency, and desire to end my life was related to rape ? After all, I trained my brain to "remember...nothing" as I had been instructed by the perpetrators." Please see: www.beyondthetears.blogspot.com
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 538

Special guest Laura Murphy


Wednesday
03/27/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show

Tonight's special guest is Laura Murphy, Ph.D. in African and African American Studies, who now teaches at Loyola University in New Orleans. She'll be discussing the anti-trafficking programs at the Metropolitan Center for Women & Children. The mission at Metro is to break the cycle of domestic violence and aid survivors of sexual assault through advocacy, intervention, empowerment and transformation. The goals are focused on providing services for survivors of trauma through trauma-informed care. The Center helps families regain their physical and emotional strength, resulting in empowerment and transformation. As survivors become stronger, the community is strengthened. Metro is also active in community education and outreach, operating on the premise that an informed public makes for a safer and more concerned citizenry. In 1986, Metropolitan Battered Women's Program was founded as a private 501(C)(3) non-profit organization in Jefferson Parish to offer services for victims of violence. In 2006, Metropolitan Battered Women's Program was renamed Metropolitan Center for Women & Children (Metro), in order to identify more closely with the nature of the organization's mission. In 2007, Metro started offering services to survivors of human trafficking. Currently Metropolitan Center for Women & Children offers individual and group counseling for domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking survivors. Metro also provides a children's program, legal advocacy, and community outreach for the Greater New Orleans area.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 535

Special guest Sandi Atmore
Friday
03/22/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Sandi Atmore from Los Angeles, a child abuse survivor who's now a Grief Recover Specialist. Born in a naval hospital in Portsmouth, VA, her childhood was tumultuous. She suffered physical, sexual and verbal abuse from the time she was 2 until the age of 15, always kept behind closed doors. To deal with the stress and abuse Sandi developed the same coping skills she learned from her caregivers, denial and suppression. Sandi spent years unsuccessfully trying to escape the pain by focusing on success. Using drugs and alcohol failed her, too. By 2003 Sandi was VP of Marketing and smoking crystal meth every day. In 2005, after facing the abuse of her childhood Sandi walked away from drugs. She discovered Grief Recovery in 2006. The Outreach Program gave her the structure and tools to heal from the inner wounds. Sandi is now a mentor, business coach and Grief Recovery Specialist. Ms. Atmore is a founder of Freedom From Grief. Her journey to healing from childhood trauma has given her deep understanding in to pain and bondage this kind of trauma can create. Sandi is married, resides in southern California and has a BS in Business Administration. She also write a BLOG.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 534

Special guests Svava Brooks & Drew Paxton
Thursday
03/21/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guests are Svava Brooks and Drew Paxton, here to talk about the OneHealth online survivors' services. Many survivors of childhood sexual abuse have a difficult time when they're looking for support. OneHealth's Internet-based program offers members a safe and empowering dialog about support, healing and how to best help one another to move on with our lives after trauma and abuse. Svava Brooks, who now hails from San Diego but is still active in her native Iceland, is dedicated to ending child sexual abuse. She leads the OneHealth community in a discussion forum on Child Sexual Abuse recovery and healing every week. They meet on-line, Thursdays at 10 am (PST). Drew Paxton is the Chief Marketing Officer for OneHealth. The former CEO of Alta Mira, a 48-bed residential treatment provider, he also served as Executive Director of the Residential and Outpatient programs at Betty Ford Center. His for-profit experience includes a leadership role as the Director of QuickBooks Marketing at Intuit, where he grew the product line to over $170 million in sales. Svava says it's exciting to be, "a part of a growing community of online support for survivors of childhood sexual abuse." She goes on. "If you are finding it challenging to find people that understand you or finding the right support, this is the place for you.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 529

Special guest Ruben Rosario
Thursday
03/14/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Ruben Rosario from Minnesota, child abuse survivor, veteran newspaper journalist and award-winning columnist with the St Paul Pioneer Press. We were so impressed by his recent autobiographical column "Today, I need to tell you about a little boy" where he discusses his experiences with surviving childhood sexual assault that we asked him to join us on the show. Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico and raised in New York City, Rosario covered some of the biggest and more notorious crime stories in the nation's largest city. He also wrote cover stories for national magazines, including Nuestro and Crime Beat. Rosario joined the Pioneer Press in 1991 and launched his column in 1997. He and the column have won numerous accolades and awards in recent years. A cancer survivor, Rosario is a father of two and a longtime member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. He is also treasurer for Criminal Justice Journalists, a Washington, D.C. based national organization of crime reporters and editors.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 526

Special guest JR
Monday
03/11/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is JR from Boston, Massachusetts, child sexual abuse survivor and NAASCA volunteer. Having appeared as a panelist on numerous "Stop Child Abuse Now" talk shows in the past, this is the first time we'll have him as our featured special guest. We're delighted for the opportunity to get to know him even better. JR has worked on his recovery since 2007 and says, "I have come a long way." A volunteer working with the homeless in the Boston area, he's now starting a new project, a survivor creativity passion documentary. JR earned a degree in Economics and is studying anthropology. Interested in connecting with other child abuse and trauma survivors, JR believes there's great opportunities to heal when engaged in a group recovery experience. As he says, "I am working to move beyond victimhood and my life is staring to open up." JR is a dedicated NAASCA member.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 524

Special guest Janet Lee

Thursday
03/07/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show

Tonight's special guest is Janet Lee, MSW, LCSW, from New Jersey, here to talk about her work at "180 Turning Lives Around." Ms Lee received her Masters of Social Work from Hunter College in New York City and has been a practitioner, supervisor and educator in the field of crisis response, domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse and elder abuse for over 25 years. She has repeatedly been chosen to present at the New Jersey Association of Domestic Violence Professionals Annual Conference and has experience training child welfare staff, medical professionals, law enforcement and court personnel and mental health professionals. Currently, Janet works as a Supervisor of Domestic Violence Support Groups at 180 Turning Lives Around where she developed and leads second stage trauma recovery support groups for survivors of domestic violence. In addition, Janet is a Field Instructor for the state-wide 2nd FLOOR Youth Helpline and an Adjunct Professor at the School of Social work at Monmouth University. See the web site at: www.180nj.org
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 521

Special guest Valerie Carlton

Monday
03/04/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Valerie Carlton, who will discuss her own experiences as an abused child, as a mother concerned about her own daughter's abuse, and as an ex-social worker and special education teacher who learned about child abuse through her experiences with patients and students. She endured various forms of abuse herself and has been able to survive, function as a stable member of society, finding methods and actual tools to assist her with her own personal healing. She's been able to successfully evolve as a more positive, empathetic, and caring human being who wants to share what she's learned with others in need. Valerie says, "Our family courts switched from being more supportive of parental rights to being over-protective of children from any family that would not be properly suited as the perfect picture in a Norman Rockwell painting. Despite the "protective" evolution in American family courts and the growing number of child advocacy organizations, child abuse is on the rise. To those who believe that our society and system as a whole are making positive advancements in helping stop child abuse and developing policies and programs which will better protect our children, I will ask them to look at the numbers." See: www.ValerieCarlton.com
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 515

Special guest Gwen Federico
Friday
02/22/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Gwen Federico, MSW, from the DASI organization in Newton, NJ. The Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Intervention Services (DASI) is a non-profit established in 1984 where the mission is providing comprehensive services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence and their families in Sussex County. Services are free and confidential. They provide assistance to domestic violence victims and survivors, to children exposed to domestic violence, to sexual assault and abuse survivors. Among the many services they offer are a safe house (when home is not safe), a 24-hour helpline for assistance, information, support, & referrals, supportive counseling & groups, supportive accompaniment to hospital, law enforcement proceedings & court hearings and legal, social service & housing advocacy. In addition, DASI offers community education and prevention programs for groups of all ages in a variety of formats. The Interpersonal Violence Prevention Program (IVPP) provides presentations for youth. Interventions in Domestic and Sexual Violence is a 60-hour course for staff and volunteers which is also offered to professionals of other human service organizations. Professional in-service training is available to those who work with families affected by domestic and sexual violence. They also have a comprehensive Volunteer Training Program. Presenters are trained in counseling and crisis intervention, and so are able to meet the needs of individuals who come forward and disclose abuse or assault after a presentation.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 508

Special guest Latrice Hickman

Wednesday
02/13/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show

Tonight's special guest is Latrice Hickman, long time child abuse survivor, VP for Outreach and Promotions at one of NAASCA's favorite non profit organizations, Child Help. Chief among their many meaningful services is an International child abuse HOTLINE at: 1-800-4-A-CHILD. Serving the United States, its territories, and Canada, the Hotline is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with professional crisis counselors who, through interpreters, can provide assistance in 170 languages. The Hotline offers crisis intervention, information, literature, and referrals to thousands of emergency, social service, and support resources. All calls are anonymous and confidential. The Hotline has received more than 2 million calls since it began in 1982. These calls come from children at risk for abuse, distressed parents seeking crisis intervention and concerned individuals who suspect that child abuse may be occurring. The Hotline is also a valuable resource for those who are mandated by law to report suspected abuse, such as school personnel, medical and mental health professionals and police and fire investigators. For their many other services, see the web site at: www.ChildHelp.org
"Community Matters" This Week - 256

Special guest Randa Fox
Saturday
02/02/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's surprise special guest was Randa Fox from Houston, Texas, founder of the Not On Our Watch group and foundation (web site: www.NotOnOurWarch.net). She believes we can make a difference through "Communication, Education and Proclamation." As she says, "We must start this journey, but first, please know it will not be easy. It will be emotionally exhausting. But it is up to our generation to begin this grassroots effort to allow our children to grow up being nurtured, loved and safe from all abuse." She continues saying that first, "we must open our minds to the possibility that sexual abuse does happen. It's happening everyday in every community. This is a fact." Secondly, begin talking about it within your family. The Sandusky case or any local cases you may see on TV about sexual abuse would be great opportunities to find out what your child thinks. Third, she says, "It's time to start educating ourselves. If you are reading this, you have begun the journey. Explore the facts about this very real epidemic. There is amazing work being done to make a difference for our children." Feel free to contact Randa Fox at: RandaJeane@yahoo.com
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 500

Special guest Beth Donahue
Friday
02/01/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Beth Donahue who's joining us to give us an update on the plans and preparation for "The Innocence Revolution" events, scheduled to occur on April 14th, in the middle of Child Abuse Prevention month. The event was created not only for those who have experienced sexual abuse, but also for all those interested in uniting in the fight to end the sexual violation of children. The goal is to create and coordinate a coalition of organizations and individuals to mobilize a global single-day effort to end sexual abuse of children. If you are interested in helping, please consider volunteering as a City, State, Province or Country Coordinator. The Coordinator will be responsible for the recruitment of additional local volunteers and organizing them to plan and carry out an event in their area. Coordinators can be individuals, or an advocacy group. The only request we have is that the Coordinator takes on the commitment to MAKE an event happen in their area, on April 14th, 2013. If you're interested, contact Beth at: theinnocencerevolution2@gmail.com
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 497

Special guest Dr Pamela Pine
Tuesday
01/29/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show

Tonight's special guest is Dr. Pamela Pine, founder and CEO of "Stop the Silence: Stop Child Sexual Abuse, Inc.", a non-profit, charitable 501(c)3 organization, with a Mission to expose and stop child sexual abuse and help survivors heal worldwide. Their goals are: 1) to promote healing of victims and survivors; and 2) to celebrate the lives of those healed. Through their work, "Stop The Silence" aims to address the relationships between CSA and the broader issues of overall family and community violence, and violence within and between communities. Their focus underlines the importance of a shift in focus on positive development within our social complexes (e.g., the relationships between men, women, adults and children, cultural groups) to support peaceful - and to hinder violence-prone - relationships. "Stop the Silence" is also known for its annual "Race to Stop the Silence" event held in Washington DC each April and for its partnerships with such organizations as the annual International Violence and Trauma (IVAT) convention in San Diego and "The Lamplighters Movement."
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 495

Special guest Tiffany Moon
Friday
01/25/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Tiffany Moon from San Diego, is a survivor of childhood abduction and rape, parental drug trafficking, familial sex trafficking, incest, torture, pornography and domestic violence. Founder and CEO of The Tiffany Moon Foundation for Abduction Recovery, she’s currently completing her book, HAVE YOU SEEN ME?, an account of her experiences with child abuse, the kidnapping covered up by her Catholic elementary school, and the avalanche of government failures that nearly killed her in the present. The foundation is the result of her experiences of the past two years, during which she attempted to seek justice for the past, and help for the psychological injuries she finally understood, and was met with layers of failures by the legal system and social-service organizations that ultimately led to nearly a year of homelessness, and permanently-damaging medical maltreatment, leaving her in crisis today. Because this was the result of the failures of legal organizations to treat abduction appropriately, and of mental-health organizations to understand and treat the results of abduction, Tiffany, while attempting to reach out for aid for herself through her foundation, has the goal of raising awareness about the results of abduction and providing support and resources for abduction survivors.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 494

Special guest Dave (from Israel)
Thursday
01/24/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight we had a special guest, first time caller Dave from Israel. Dave is an American who went to the Middle East about five years ago, partly to get away from the abuse of his youth. He had never before discussed the story of his childhood trauma and his healing journey in any public forum. Wearing a Blue Ribbon is the symbol of Child Abuse Awareness! Millions of abuse victims (men and women) hide the story of their experience well into adulthood. A huge number continue to suffer from pain, anger, fear, shame and embarrassment for decades. Most will agree their traumas have resulted in an inability to trust, make good decisions and have healthy relationships. But giving up the secret is often how recovery begins, one survivor talking to another. Join Bill Murray and his co-hosts, panelists and guests, many of them abuse survivors, others supporters and friends, for an informed discussion of the many important issues that surround child abuse. Anonymous calls and chat room participation are encouraged. ~~ Please see our web site at: www.NAASCA.org
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 491

Special guest Marinella Timmins
Monday
01/21/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Marinella Timmons, long-time Executive Director of the Victim Assistence Centre in Houston, Texas. She began her mission to bring about a change in the Criminal Justice System after her 18 year old son Curtis was killed by a drunk driver in 1981. Committed to make a difference by founding the first Texas chapter of "Mothers Against Drunk Driving" (MADD) in 1981, she accepted an appointment by the Governor to serve for two years on the "Governor's Task Force on Traffic Safety". By the fifth anniversary of her son's death, Mrs. Timmons had addressed more than 10,000 people on the hazards of driving while drinking. MADD was receiving calls from victims of other types of crimes asking for assistance to meet their emotional, physical, informational and financial needs. Consequently, Marinelle founded a second non-profit agency, the "Victims Assistance Centre" (VAC) in 1986, to address the needs of innocent victims of all violent crimes. She was intent to find innovative ways to respond to unmet community needs without duplicating services and programs provided elsewhere. She's spent the last 30 years devoting her time and energy to providing information, assistance and guidance to innocent victims of violent crimes, turning a terrible tragedy into a crusade for others and is continually dedicated to her mission.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 490

Special guest Simon Weinberg
Friday
01/18/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Simon Weinberg from Carlsbad, CA, to tell us about the local screening on 1/22 of the film he co-produced, "Men and Boys Healing". We'll also highlight the needs of male child abuse and trauma victims / survivors, and compare them to those of women. Mr. Weinberg was formally marketing and fundraising director for leading environmental organizations, and is dedicated to social justice filmmaking. He's co-owner of Big Voice Pictures, and Co-producer and Outreach and Distribution director for "Men and Boys Healing" and "The Healing Years". His ongoing outreach and advocacy for these films have an made an impact in hundreds of universities and communities in the United States, Canada and England, including his collaborative efforts with MaleSurvivor, organizing "Dare to Dream" screening events and panel discussions at Penn State University and other universities nationwide. Simon works collaboratively with leading organizations such as 1in6.org, MaleSurvivor.org, PAVE (Promoting Awareness, Victim Empowerment), End Violence Against Women, the military, correctional organizations and leading prevention and state coalitions against sexual assault internationally who utilize the film as a training and advocacy tool to motivate positive and lasting change.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 489

Special guests Dr Jaime Romo and Simon Weinberg
Thursday
01/17/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Dr Jaime Romo from San Diego (see also SCAN Episode # 082), to tell us about the screening on 1/22 in Carlsbad, CA, of the film "Men and Boys Healing" -- Jaime will be joined by the documentary's co-producer, Simon Weinberg. The film takes the viewer on a deeply personal journey into lives of three male survivors, and includes a peer led support group of men. Boys and Men Healing is a documentary about the impact male child sexual abuse has on both the individual and society, and the importance of male survivors healing and speaking out for the well being of individuals, families, and communities. Featuring non-offending men, this film digs deep into the effects of boyhood sexual abuse--shame, intimacy problems, sexual identity confusion, post-traumatic stress, substance abuse or rage that led to violence plagued their lives--yet each man ultimately chose the arduous task of healing. Through counseling and support groups and taking action toward the prevention of other boys, each man is a testimony of hope and the ability for survivors to thrive. The film bursts forth with beauty and celebration of men's emotions and voices—too long veiled under silence.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 488

Special guest Val (Littlegirl413)
Wednesday
01/16/2013
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Tonight's special guest is Val (Littlegirl413) from Maryland, a childhood trauma survivor who uses creative writing as a tool in her recovery. Her book of poetry, The Monster's Game, takes one on an emotional and heartbreaking, yet powerful journey that explores the author's early childhood when she was sexually abused from age 4 to about 16 by her father and several others. Almost 50 years later, the mother, grandmother, wife, sister, daughter and friend still struggles with the effects of that abuse. Through the use of poetry, she breaks her silence and speaks out about her abuse and the abuse of children everywhere. Littlegirl413 emerges as strong and triumphant as she delivers punch by punch blows to her abusers and those who turn a blind eye. Val's goal is not to gain sympathy for her pain, but to generate support for those who are less fortunate than she. It is her dream to shed a spotlight on this terrible silent epidemic throughout the world and end child sexual abuse forever. As she says, "Maybe one day no child will have to remain anonymous and hide behind a mask of shame." Littlegirl413 strongly recommends participation in online recovery groups like: www.DailyStrength.org
"Community Matters" This Week - 199

Year in Review
Sunday
1/01/2012
8pm EST, 5pm PAC

recommended show
Join our founder and host, Bill Murray, co-hosts MJ Goyings, ER RN, Jay Tow, MS, Certified Sex Therapist, Jessica Stevens, Carol D. Levine and Carl Hart, adult survivors of child abuse, as they discuss the News and Crime stories of the year from each of our two national grassroots efforts, LA Community Policing and the National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse. Frequent visits from special guests and topic driven episodes featuring important related issues are all a part of "Community Matters" .. where call-in participation is always welcome! (Please see: www.LACP.org and www.NAASCA.org)

 
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