Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 1598

Tonight's special guest is Dr Michelle Stevens from Los Angeles, author of the newly released book "Scared Selfless: My Journey from Abuse and Madness to Surviving and Thriving." A shocking, inspiring, and enlightening new memoir, "Scared Selfless" chronicles Michelle's improbable journey from horrendous child sexual abuse, loss, and mental illness to healing, recovery, and happiness. Not until she remembered and confronted the full extent of what had happened to her was Michelle able to find the path to recovery and ultimately triumph. As a child, Michelle Stevens was the victim of sexual abuse at the hands of her stepfather, Gary Lundquist—elementary school teacher, neighborhood stalwart, and brutal pedophile. He locked her in a cage, tortured her, and used her as his sex slave, subjecting her to inconceivable cruelty. She was forced to perform in child ography and trafficked in a child sex ring. To cope with the trauma, Michelle unconsciously repressed the memories of what she had experienced and developed multiple personalities. Years later, Michelle was diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), more commonly known as Multiple Personality Disorder. The disorder is caused by severe and repeated childhood trauma, usually physical, sexual, and/or emotional abuse. Though DID itself is rare, its underlying cause is not. Not until Michelle remembered and confronted the full extent of what had happened to her, was she able to find the path to recovery and ultimately triumph. She's now a successful psychotherapist, expert in trauma, and a prominent advocate against child abuse.