Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 870

Tonight's special guest is Sharika Soal (aka LadySoal, her name as a professional musician) from Ames, Iowa, a survivor of sexual abuse who is currently struggling with the abuse of her own small son. She was adopted in 1989 from a foster home that was riddled with neglect, abuse and molestation. "We lived in a pantry," Sharika writes., "ALL of my and my older sisters clothes smelled like pee." Around 9 she began to notice her adopted father acting very strange when her adopted mother was not around. "He would rub on me and have me sit on his lap in a way that reminded me of my other abuser in my foster home" Her fears were well-founded, as her father began visiting her alone at night in her bedroom. When she disclosed to her mother her reply was, "Sharika, he has been here longer than you and if I have to choose between you or him I will choose him." No one reported her dad. The next two years were filled with denial and volatility including several hospital visits. Sharika's mother told her daughter she was having flash backs from her previous abuse in foster care. "I spent 11-17 years of age in and out of treatment." In time Sharika became a mother herself but she kept her family away from her son until he was about two (he's now 4 years old). Deciding to pursue her dream of a career in the LA music industry, she left her small child temporarilly in her parent's care. Now she faces some of the worst pain of her life. Sharika's young son recently disclosed he was being abused by her father, and a custody battle began .. one Sharika's determined to see through. "If your child comes to you and says 'so and so' touched them believe them," she says, "and report it right away. My actions are what saved my son."