Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 2230

Tonight's special guest is Sharon Simonson from Greensboro, North Carolina, a survivor of child abuse. As Sharon explains, “I was sexually abused multiple times before the age of 12 by men who I knew and trusted. I suffered from guilt and shame and began using drugs as a teen to cope with my pain. The use of drugs led to addiction in my adult life. After a failed marriage, unsuccessful relationships, and my life a complete mess, I finally reached out for professional help. The therapy helped me to finally address my sexual abuse.” Sharon is an advocate and writer who educates, inspires and encourages others to make powerful changes in their lives, with messages centered on hope, unwavering faith and perseverance. Not wanting to see people suffer the way she had, Sharon told her story by writing a book. As the founder and CEO of Angel Wings Publications, LLC, a publication company, she self-published her first book, ‘Without Permission: A Spiritual Journey to Healing,' in 2011. Sharon is also the founder of Angel Wings Bridge Foundation, a non-profit organization to support and empower sexual abuse victims. The Foundation serves as a bridge, linking victims to professional resources that promote healing through support, education and spirituality. Sharon passionately speaks out about prevention and awareness of sexual abuse, focusing on educating and inspiring audiences at faith-based organizations, at-risk teen groups, students, and incarcerated women. Sharon promotes self-empowerment to overcome obstacles that hinder individual growth. Through the use of personal experience, as well as real life tools, Sharon connects with abuse survivors and their support systems in a manner that helps elevate them to positions of self-love, courage and strength of purpose.