Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 773

Tonight's special guest is Chris Anderson from New York City, a returning NAASCA family member.  Chris is a child abuse survivor who serves as the Executive Director of MaleSurvivor, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping male survivors of sexual abuse and their loved ones by creating communities of Hope, Healing, and Support. In that role he oversees outreach to other survivors of sexual abuse and organizations that advocate on their behalf. He also oversees website operations, development efforts, the MaleSurvivor Weekends of Recovery Program, International Conference, and social media. Chris joined the organization in 2007 after coming to understand the extent to which the sexual abuse he suffered as a child profoundly altered his life. A survivor of multiple forms of childhood trauma with an ACES [Adverse Childhood Experience Study] score of 5, Chris has overcome battles with severe depression, anxiety disorder, and suicidal impulses to become a passionate advocate for survivors of sexual abuse and childhood trauma. As a peer advocate, he speaks publicly about his own story, and on the need for greater partnership between professionals and survivors across all disciplines.