Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 1305

Tonight's special guest is Susan White from the Washington, DC, area, a survivor of rape and sexual assault from the ages of 10 to 17. "As a result of my gentle innocence being stolen from me as a child, once I became an adult I was introduced to drugs, exotic dancing, and prostitution," Susan explains. "I lost my children and was homeless for most of my adult life." For the past three decades Susan experienced many years of mental bondage caused her childhood misfortunes and the lifestyles of substance abuse and erratic behaviors. "I believed there was no hope and struggled with overwhelming guilt, hopelessness, anger, suicidal attempts because I never received counseling," she says . At the age of 33, after a cocaine overdose, Susan decided it was time for change. "I received counseling for the sexual violence, as well as substance abuse treatment, and had a better understanding that I was masking the pain with drugs." She also came to understand that the sexual behaviors she'd been engaged in as an adult were a result of her abuse as a child. "It's been 13 years now and I've been sober from drug addiction as well I no longer participate in the other self destructive lifestyles," Susan writes. "Through the years, my faith in God has inspired me to conquer it all through deliverance, restoration, the renewing of my mind. My strengths in such areas caused me to have a greater acceptance of my past behaviors, forgiving myself and others which has transformed my life immensely." She concludes, "I'm passionate about taking the platform of speaking to audiences around the globe addressing the prominent problems of sexual assault & substance abuse." We welcome Susan White as the newest member of the NAASCA family!