Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 2373

Tonight's special guest is Rick Cosentino from New Hampshire, a returning NAASCA family member and a survivor of sexual assault, physical abuse and emotional trauma from an early age. Rick was raped while in foster care when he was 5 years old. Later, Rick's mother reunited the family and Rick tried put the horror he'd experienced out of his thoughts. He started using drugs at 12-13, burning himself at 14, and left home at 16. He became a "tough guy" fighting to prove he was a man. Rick explains, "I walked thru life angry and hateful. My ex kept asking me what's wrong. I finally told her, and she was disgusted and viewed me as less of a man. My marriage was over." Planning to use a gun to commit suicide, Rick says, "As I started to squeeze [the trigger] my mother came to me clear as a bell in my mind. She said she loved me, she said I was needed. I got angry again, only this time I was angry at the people who hurt me and couldn't let them win by me dying.” Rick felt the first time telling the world his story was freeing; he felt whole for the first time in his life. Last year, his sister heard the radio show and was angry because she said Rick was telling HER story. Although they never talked about abuse, his sister was disgusted with Rick, and they haven’t spoken in a year. Recently, Rick tried to tell his second wife, but she replied that if he didn’t like it there, he could leave. Rick relates, "This time it's totally different. I'm not low, I have no interest in 'dancing with a gun'. I knew I could be a service to others who are living like I did. I'm alive, I'm living proud with no shame and so can they. I'm stronger today. I know I'm in an elite group. I am a SURVIVOR!!