Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 2578

Tonight's special guest is Elizabeth Gaskins Knight from Savanna, Illinois, a Native American. Elizabeth says, "I was kidnapped at age 6 and sexually abused by a neighbor. Next I was sexually abused at age 14 by a community adult man age 22. I have not ever received any justice. I felt violated, helplessness, anxiety and PTSD but I always remembered what I recall my psychiatrist telling me. He was a board-certified sexologist and he would tell me no matter what anyone does to me or says to me, 'I'm still a worthwhile person'." Many indigenous people from around the world have suffered child abuse (and adult injustice) at numbers that are far higher than others in the community. “I began my healing journey and talking about my abuse through writing. I am a published author and I have a special poem that really set me free.” Elizabeth is a court-appointed advocate for the Americans of Invisible Disabilities. She speaks about sexual abuse and advocates for others to talk about their abuse on her blog and also on radio shows. "I believe adult survivors need to be believed and their voice heard," Elizbeth says. "I think when survivors open up, they begin to be able to do self-care and find therapists who will help them keep the mental damage from damaging them physically, mental and physical go hand in hand.”