Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 2308

Tonight's special guest is Natasha Prosperi from Houston, Texas, a survivor of child abuse at the hands of her uncles, a teacher and a coach. Natasha writes, “It was my paternal uncle, we were visiting his house on a vacation. I thought it was my fault, I was afraid of my dad. It was my teacher, I thought I was in love, but I was really looking for a paternal figure. It was my volleyball coach of 5 years, he called me to his room to discuss the strategy for the game that night, he started giving me a massage. I thought it was my fault for letting him touch me. It was my maternal uncle who was a university professor. I went to his house because he was helping me with my graduate school applications. It Made Me Feel guilty, ashamed, dirty, mature for my age, alone. I became very aggressive, irritable, prepotent, perfectionist. I closed up and built walls around myself. I didn’t like to feel vulnerable with anyone. I never cried. I repressed my emotions. I told nobody. It took me 31 years to tell someone.” Natasha eventually told her husband, her parents, her siblings, close friends and some extended family members. She continues, “some offered me support, others didn’t and they got in my abuser’s side. Then I told EVERYONE, I wrote and published a memoir, … it is really important to be able to tell your story, because the secrecy only benefits the abuser.” She attributes her survival to “old fashion therapy and the support of my husband, kids, siblings, parents and close friends.” Natasha is now spending her life with the love her life, her husband of 23 years, and her 3 kids. She says she is reinventing herself.