Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 1286

Tonight's special guest is Cheri Roberts from Lincoln City, Oregon. Cheri is a prolific journalist, who suffered many forms of (sexual, emotional and physical) abuse as a child and her series offers voices from other adult survivors supported by leading experts on the topic of pedophilia, incest and molestation. Cheri is a weekly talk-show host and producer for "Challenging the Rhetoric" (#CTR) every Wednesday. She also hosts a special First Thursdays series called, Sickness of Silence (#SOS) addressing childhood sexual abuse. The talk show description explains, "The culture of silence lives on in every generation molding each like the one that came before it. Silence enables abuse, but our words have always held the power to stop it. It is our inability to listen to and share uncomfortable truths that have allowed families to maintain their semblance of normalcy." Cheri suffered abuse as a child, but most notably was sexually abused by several uncle's and a couple of her mother's boyfriends. The sexual abuse began at the age of 3 when Cheri's uncle and aunt became her legal guardians amidst the drug-fueled backdrop of America's sexual revolution. Cheri has spoken openly on the topic of her abuse for decades and feels the shaming of the abuser is also the shaming of the child. As she says, "Shame is what keeps secrets." Outside of her personal life, Cheri is a much endorsed writer, investigative journalist, coach and marketer. As a freelance writer and prominent activist, Cheri lives her life “out-loud” challenging the system with her back turned against the status quo of the failed corporate media.