Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 1248

Tonight's special guest is Matthew Sandusky from State College, Pennsylvania, Executive Director at the "Peaceful Hearts Foundation" which he founded along with his wife, Kim. "As the world tuned into the news for updates on the 'Sandusky Scandal' in 2011 and 2012, our family sat in the epicenter of the storm," says Matthew. He and Kim were engaged to be married when their lives were turned upside down. In November of 2011, Matt's adoptive father, Jerry Sandusky, was arrested for sexually assaulting at least ten young boys. Many months and incredible amounts of soul searching, strength and courage led Matt to contact authorities about the abuse that he had suffered at the hands of his adopted father. The storm that followed would be one that Matt and his family could never have imagined or prepared for. "Through personal pain and heartache and healing, we created Peaceful Hearts Foundation. Our goal: to foster an environment where survivors and loved ones can come together to share their experiences and receive compassion, help and support, unconditionally," says Matt. He goes on, "It’s amazing what we can do when we come together. If we are truly going to make a society safe for survivors, it’s going to take a lot of courage and cooperation." NAASCA welcomes Matt and Kim as the newest members of our NAASCA family. Our single purpose is to address issues of childhood abuse and trauma with two specific objectives: (1) to educate the public and stop the silence and (2) to offer hope and services to the still-suffering adult survivor of childhood abuse.