Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 2670

Tonight's special guest is Janet Simmons from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, an American, born in Japan in the mid 1950s and raised there with her siblings. Their parents had moved there to do missionary work. A well known marine biologist and teacher, Jack Moyer, famed for publishing a book with Jane Goodall, began sexually abusing Janet while she was only eleven years old. "The abuse started very covertly with a walk with the dogs, a cup of coffee, a massage," Janet explains. "Quickly it escalated to inappropriate touching and then full blown sexual assault lasting for three years." She goes on, "The abuse left me feeling confused, disoriented, elation, wonder, favorite, special, chosen, popular, special, uncertain, scared, fear of loss, fear of failure, fear of lost status." At night he'd place her futon next to his. It went on for years. "I have had extensive therapy over the years, fortunately, doing the work of writing a blog," she says. "Following through and partnering with many others who had been abused by him, has allowed my healing process to rapidly increase. Occasionally, I experience relapse issues related to his abuse and I suffer from high blood pressure." Janet goes on, "Life is stressful, however, I have worked through the pain, confusion, anger, hate, and many more emotions that a sexual abuse victim feels. My peace comes from my relationship with God and I am able to have a full life of success thanks to Him." Janet works with many fellow survivors, and is President and CEO of HOPE Ministries, a nonprofit in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, that supports and helps those less fortunate to meet their basic needs and move forward through workforce development.