Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 3093

Tonight's special guest is Sandy Phillips Kirkham from Cincinnati, Ohio, a clergy abuse survivor and author of the book 'Let Me PREY Upon You' that explains how a charismatic youth minister preyed upon her, a betrayal which left her broken, with a shattered faith, and the ultimate shame of being blamed and forced from the church she loved. From their very first meeting, the new youth minister slowly and methodically turned the sacred relationship of a trusted spiritual leader to one of abuse: sexual, emotional, and physical. When his actions were discovered, he was simply moved to another church, leaving Sandy to pay for his deeds. She was not his first victim, nor would she be his last. One of the greatest gift one can give to a victim of abuse is to allow us give words to our trauma. To allow us to be heard. We understand the topic is uncomfortable and may make you uneasy. Our healing comes when our pain is given a voice. "Soon after I began my own journey of healing from clergy abuse, came a need and a passion to speak out on the issue. Through the years, I’ve continually spoken to many groups and churches on the topic of prevention and met many courageous survivors." She explains, "I began to understand my story could have an impact." She goes on, "Writing the book was difficult at times, but I was motivated by this one thought, 'what would have changed for me had I heard someone’s story of abuse during the time I was being abused?' Her book has reached many survivors and won many awards. "I am humbled by this recognition but the emails and letters I receive from victims expressing their gratitude for me telling my story and giving them hope is the real recognition."