Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 1210

Tonight's special guest is Cissy White from North Weymouth, Massachusetts, an abuse survivor / activist at Heal Write Now where the goal is to help survivors by giving them a real face and voice. Cissy says, "I write and speak about what it means to break the silence about abuse, trauma and neglect during development and the challenges (and joys) of being a break-the-cycle person and parent." Cissy believes secrecy and shame add an additional burden to a life. Survivors have been burdened enough. She's willing to take a stand and to be a shame-reducing truth teller because she knows people heal when they feel less alone. She says, "Too many of us whisper thoughts, feelings and experiences in therapy or not at all. We need one another." She came out as a survivor in her forties. "I use my real name and picture now when I write about abuse," she explains. "I can't pretend my life hasn't been impacted by adverse childhood experiences. It was and is. I can't change that." Trauma takes a real toll. But there are many things that can help survivors feel better, and writing is one of those things. "That’s why I created Heal Write Now. I don’t prescribe cures or answers. I share and write about trauma from the survivor perspective (anyone else tired of “experts” who aren't us speaking for us?)." Cissy doesn't pretending she speaks from anything other than her personal experiences as a writer, survivor, mother and activist. "We need resources that help teach us what we didn't learn and allow us to share our insights, tools and resources with one another." She concludes, "My goal is to help survivors and give a real face and voice."