Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 1553

Tonight's special guest is Carissa Kreiner from Cincinnati, Ohio, a survivor of sexual abuse as a child. "I suffered repressed memories from it," she says, "and just last year, with help from a therapist, was able to remember what happened to me." Since then she's finally been able to heal. Carissia grew up in an amazing church-going family. "I was sheltered, safe, loved and protected at all times." Her early life was 'perfect' .. until one day it wasn't. "In the blink of an eye everything changed. Literally overnight my childhood was ripped away from me. The safety, security and trust of our family was destroyed, and the innocence of a 9 year old little girl was gone." Carissa explains, "I used what had happened to me as a crutch." The syptoms included becaming sexually active, acting out and rebelling, quiting church, alcohol use and food. She was successful in her professional life, but her personal life and her emotional / mental state were in shambles. "Once I turned 33 I began realizing that my issues with not only alcohol and my weight, but also my insomnia, anxiety, anger, depression and lack of trust all stem from what I refer to as 'the unknown'." It was at this point she turned to psycotherapy. It took some doing but eventually there was a breakthrough. "For the first time, I was able to have closure in knowing that I faced my worst fear," Carissa says. "I had been sexually abused, in the home of a long time and trusted church family." That has meant everything. "Coming forward and telling my story is something that has been weighing very heavily on my heart for 6 months now." She goes on, "I want to be able to help others who are or have suffered from similar situations." We're happy to provide her the opportunity.