Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 1890

Tonight's special guest is Wanda Means from Dallas, Texas, a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, an activist, blogger, mother, business woman and author. Her book 'The Shelf Life of a Secret' is a real-life account of abuse, addiction, resiliency, and self-awareness. "Months after I was born, my father walked out on our family," she writes. "At eight, I was sexually molested by my step-father. After two years of abuse, I told my mother but instead of believing me, she defended him and remained with him until his death. These three experiences frame my childhood of perfect hell—one that lined a path of fear, shame, and eventual route to courage." Wanda goes on, "One of the first things anyone learns about me is that I have a big mouth . . . and I’m not afraid to use it. I will talk about anything that others are uncomfortable talking about because I am brash, honest, and real. I’m also a mother, coach, athlete, blogger, volunteer, adventurer, ex-wife, successful real estate developer, a decent cook, and exhausted most of the time. The final thing to learn about me is that I am a true survivor of sexual molestation as a child and developed according to what I like to call 'a Tri-Fecta of F*ckedupness': childhood sexual molestation, the betrayal of my mother, and the rejection of my father. These travesties culminated in my most impressionable years and have continued to impact the most horrible decisions I’ve made as a grown woman."