Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 1373

Tonight's special guest is Kristina Grevatt from Nova Scotia, Canada, a survivor and activist who writes on her "Soar My Soul: Journey of a Butterfly" BLOG. "I want to make a difference in this world," Kristina says, "and helping educate and open up dialogue about the topic of childhood abuse is one of the greatest ways I think I can do that. I have shared my blog with all those I know in the hopes it may help others to come forward too." Her father physically, mentally, and sexually abused her mother and children. A messy divorce when Kristina was six meant the kids went into foster care where she was to remain for the rest of her childhood. She lived in several homes where she was neglected, physically abused or molested until she was about ten. Finally a "good family" adopted her. "I was saved, Kristina says, "and knew what life and safety in a family was supposed to be." Despite this, she was sexually assaulted at 12 by a boy she was supposed to be able to trust. He abused her for a three days. But she goes on, "Aside from that though, my adoption truly saved my life! My new family gave me everything all children deserve to have in their lives. Therapy, journal writing, and simply speaking about and sharing my story, have been my forms of healing and helping others to heal, both things I am passionate about." Her BLOG reflects all these things. "Today, I am still healing and I know I will be until the day I die, but I have come so very far from where I was in my early adult years when I was first trying to sort through all of this." Kristina concludes, "It is one of my deepest beliefs that one of the greatest ways to heal from and work to end sexual abuse is to talk about and share our experiences."