Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 970

Tonight's special guest is Brittney Bray, a returning NAASCA family member from New Jersey. A survivor of child abuse who was removed from her family as a teen, she was eventually able to take advantage of the CASA SHaW facility in Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Counties, and is now enjoying life in recovery. At the age of 15 she was taken away from her family due to her parents' drug abuse and her father's physical abuse towards her. She experienced about 8 different placements from the age of 15 till the age of 16. She was involved with many organizations, including the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). At the age of 17 she had her first child. At 18 she married the baby's father and became independent. After her son was born, she was faced with opposition from the child welfare system which did not believe she could succeed as a mother. CASA SHaW was there to support and defend her, helping her to retain custody of her baby. Brittney says, "I have tried to make the best from my difficult past. I am thankful to CASA for continuing to be supportive to me. Today I am 23, I live in my own home, I have 2 healthy and happy children, and I have been happily married for 5 years. I work, and I am planning to go back to school. My parents are in my life, and the relationship I have with them is stronger than ever now. We've all made it to the other side of a bad time."