Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN - 751

Tonight's special guest is César M, a 41 year-old survivor of sexual abuse originally from Central America who's now living in California. César was sexually abused as a child by a family member, and then in his teenage years by Catholic priests. His abuse lasted from his early childhood until his late teens, and once the years of assault were over he succumbed to alcohol addiction as a way to dealing with the repercussions. In his mid thirties he decided to seek help, and started a long journey of psychotherapy and self help, networking with other survivors, etc. Male Survivor is among the important groups with which he's affiliated. SNAP, The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, was another. César writes, "Now as a survivor I want to start living a meaningful, purposeful life. Thus I've decided to start working on fulfilling a life-long dream of becoming a photographer. This new journey is about to take place come the New Year with the help of my friend Mark Riser (also a NAASCA famuily member)." Mark and César met a few years ago at a retreat for male survivors of sexual abuse and have kept in touch ever since as a form of having a support network. Their bond as survivors has become very strong. Now César will be along to record Mark's "Made to Soar" road trip, a cross-country motorcycle tour to meet other childhood sexual abuse survivors. César says, "This will be a new chapter in my life as I thrive to transition from victim hood to survivor ship. I want to be someone that tells the world that sexual abuse is not a myth, but a reality and that silence can kill."