Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 2446

Tonight's special guest is Deana, PhD, (pronounced "Dee-na") from New Jersey. Her birth father abandoned the family when she was 2. "My mother's second husband was a child-molester," she says, "[who] began molesting my sisters and me at 4 and 5 years old. My mother was an alcoholic and verbally and physically abusive. We were often neglected and left to our own device." Deana reports that her older sister took the brunt of the sexual abuse, as he often threatened to kill them and their mother. Deana lived in silence and desperation until age 16, when she left home and lived in a drug house and bounced from home to home. Deana graduated high school and bought a one-way ticket to Hawaii. But she eventually moved back because of her constant mother's guilt via the phone. Deana was always the parent in the family dynamics. She lived in her mom's home with her 3rd husband, who was a dangerous drug addict and extremely abusive. Deana relates, “I knew early on that I needed to run to solutions. I began taking college courses and needed to surround myself in a healthy environment. I earned my PhD in education specializing in human behavior and have taught at the university level. My research has focused on bullying, resiliency, forgiveness, and grit. My calling has been helping those who are suffering with abuse. God has prepared me through the years to become an advocate and supporter. I am also a crisis counselor and completing a 2nd master’s degree in counseling, specializing in forensic counseling. I am drawn to share my story and healthy coping skills in hope of helping others heal. Throughout my life, God has been at the center. I have not blamed God but have turned to Him as my Father, creator, and faithful protector. I was abused but through the abuse He has always guided and protected me.”