Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 3156

Tonight's special guest is Michele Johnson from Bartow, Florida, a returning NAASCA family member who says, "It's been several years and much has changed." Michele was sexually abused by multiple men and women between the ages of 5 and 15. Later, at 16, she began to be sexually trafficked. Growing up her home was filled with addictions, violence, mental abuse and sexual abuse. As an adult, she reports, "I was able to keep my trauma in check until I was stranded in Hurricane Harvey in 2017." This event triggered memories and flashbacks of all the trauma and abuses. "I had to seek help after realizing that my suicidal thoughts were overtaking my life. I started therapy two months after the hurricane and continue today with two trauma therapists." She tells her story to bring hope to other trauma survivors and to let them know they are not alone. "I have been speaking, writing, and advocating since 2018. I blog my healing journey (be sure to check out the BLOG: 'Being MJ Everyday') and hope to educate therapists, law enforcement, teachers and other professionals about the devastating effects of trauma and the process and experiences of healing." Her BLOG is honest. "It’s only been the last two years that I have begun to feel love and accepted in my relationships. I put away some older, not so healthy relationships and started to develop new ones. I have begun to place more value on myself than what others think of me." She continues, "I won’t lie. I still struggle with whether or not I am good enough. I struggle with the fear that my friends will leave or abandon me. But I have begun to accept that what happened to me has given me purpose."