Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 2435

Tonight's special guest is Tanisha Bankston from Grenada, Mississippi, a child abuse and domestic violence survivor. She shares, “I was taken away from my mom at the age of 5. I failed kindergarten at the age of 5 because my mom didn’t send me to school. My mom didn’t feed us. We had lost a lot of weight. The welfare people came and took my brothers, sister, and me. We were placed with our family. My aunt got my baby brother and me. We didn’t reunite until we were older and grown. I witnessed my mom getting beat up by men. Seeing her almost kill a man did something to me. She went to prison and was in prison most of our lives. I was raped by a man at the age of 9. No one believed me so the man didn’t get locked up. My mom said I had to learn to walk again.” The sexual abuse continued throughout her childhood. Tanisha continues, “Then, my cousin’s husband started coming to my aunt’s house and started having sex with me. He got me pregnant at age 13. He was 33. I was scared to tell it. I lost my childhood at an early age. I became a mother at the age of 14 and 17. I have family secrets, including incest.” She says she hopes telling her story will help her get over her past, the pain and trauma. "I am seeing a therapist. I want to heal and get over my childhood trauma and past. My past affects my adulthood," Tanisha shares. "I am working on getting better and living a normal life. I didn’t get to do the things I wanted to do in life. I want to start living life. I want to smile, laugh and be happy. I want to take control of my own life. Live, Laugh, Learn to be happy! I hope my story helps someone.”