Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 2408

Tonight's special guest is Lika Saliscente-Phipps from Racine, Wisconsin, a returning NAASCA family member. "I'm a survivor of abuse of many levels," Lika says. After living with a physically and verbally abusive father, a passive aggressive and manipulative mother, and dealing with abuse from her siblings, her first attempt to escape the abuse by marrying did not work out. Lika was scapegoated not only by her family, but also by people in her town who spread gossip. She describes the feeling, saying, "My life was hell, and I couldn't get away." However, she did eventually break away from the abuse and in recovery has used her experience to speak out for rights and protection of others. Lika founded Youth Voice Initiative, a non-profit social action group that authors and lobbies laws to protect women and children from dangers that arise from abuse, and other laws that take away tools from child predators who conspire to commit crimes. YVI also addresses the growing problem of domestic violence. YVI gathers support for these laws and builds awareness to the problems that inspire them. Some of the successful laws Lika has lobbied include the state of WI for Act 177, a fair pay bill for equal work, and the "Mini Skirt Bill" which renders the attire of the rape victim inadmissible as evidence against the victim in court. They've also worked on two federal laws called the 'Violence Against Women Act of 1993' and 'The Safer Campuses for Women'. YVI is currently working on several new laws. Read Ms Saliscente's BLOG at: http://likaslaments.blogspot.com.