Breaking the Silence on Child Abuse
Episode Overview
Michelle Bond shares her personal story of surviving 28 years of abuse. The role of NAASCA in supporting adult survivors of child abuse. Importance of breaking the silence and reporting abuse. Michelle's organization aims to support and empower other survivors. Legal changes and reporting opportunities for survivors.
"The abuse lasted 28 years in my family, even though my social worker knew about the abuse from my brother was continuing to abuse me." - Michelle Bond
In a poignant episode of Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN), the spotlight is on Michelle Bond from Mansfield, Ohio, who bravely shares her story of enduring 28 years of abuse at the hands of her older brother. As a latchkey kid, Michelle and her twin sister faced mental, physical, and verbal abuse that continued despite the awareness of her social worker. This episode underscores the importance of speaking out and breaking the silence surrounding child abuse.
Hosted by Penelope Benes, Angel Murray, and Bill Murray, the discussion highlights the mission of NAASCA (National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse) in providing support, intervention, and recovery resources to survivors. The organization aims to educate the public and dismantle the taboo of discussing childhood sexual abuse by presenting it as a widespread societal issue. Michelle Bond, now an advocate and author, offers her book 'Mind, Body, Soul, Survivor' for free.
Her nonprofit organization, based in Ohio, provides support to survivors through encouragement cards and survivor resources. Michelle emphasizes the necessity of legal reporting, which she pursued not just for justice but to improve the accuracy of abuse statistics. The episode also touches on recent legal developments that allow survivors to report past abuses. Michelle encourages listeners to reach out for support and provides contact information for those interested in her organization's services.
This episode is a testament to resilience and the power of community support in overcoming the challenges of past trauma. Michelle's story is an inspiration to many, demonstrating that healing is possible and that there is hope for a better future.