Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 2203

Tonight's special guest is LaKesha Bell from Los Angeles, a child abuse survivor who has appeared on our SCAN show panels many times. But this will be the first time he'll be with us as a 'special guest' to tell his story. LaKesha relates, “I was sexually abused since infancy. I use the word rape to eliminate any doubt of what type of abuse was done to me.” LaKesha reported his father's abuse soon after he completed home schooling at 15. After years of litigation, charges were dropped by Child Protective Services, and the charges filed by the District Attorney's office were dismissed by a judge. LaKesha explains his additional childhood trauma, “I was misgendered female at birth. My experience is that I was forced to pass as a female, which I never understood. I remember telling my dad when I was 4 or 5 that I was a boy. He used sexual abuse to show why that wasn't true. I never believed him, but I had to act like I did. I remember my parents or others asking if I wanted to be a boy, if I 'felt' like a boy. I always said no. How could I want to be something that I am? .. Even when I was an infant, people would tell my mom how cute her son was (me). I am not transgender. I don't identify as Trans, and I do not like being defined as trans or transgender.” LaKesha now advocates and educates for himself and anyone who's rights are being infringed upon. He addresses topics of mental illness, child abuse, sexual abuse, being misgendered at birth and being gendered trans. We're really looking forward to learning more about him and to welcome him officially to the NAASCA family!