Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 2613

Tonight's special guest is Elizabeth Sullivan from Stillwater, Minnesota, a returning NAASCA family member and survivor of childhood sexual abuse and rape and the founder. She's the director of EmpowerSurvivors, a peer-led nonprofit organization that supports those that have experienced the crimes of childhood sexual abuse and rape. "In 2013 at the age of 42 I broke my silence," Elizabeth says. "Kind of a forced breaking of silence because it came out due to several triggers that ended up putting me in ICU for two days with a heart rate that couldn't be regulated, chest pain and dry heaves. After two days the flashbacks started in, nightmares, intrusive thoughts, hyper vigilance and all of the rest." Her PTSD was basically out of control. "This begun the breaking of silence for me, the two day a week therapy sessions, group therapy and a lot of ups and downs and suicidal thoughts." Elizabeth goes on, "Breaking my silence was the best thing I ever did, and the hardest thing I ever did, and now I want to empower other survivors to do the same and find healing." Elizabeth is a certified peer support specialist. "I am someone that advocates for those that haven't found their voice," she says, "particularly adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse or any person that is poor in spirit or vulnerable. My objective is to help others on their journeys of healing from childhood sexual abuse and trauma as I also progress on my personal journey. My hope and dream are to somehow raise enough money to create a healing center on a ranch geared specifically for those who were sexually abused as children offering something different then the regular clinical setting."