Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 2891

Tonight's special guest is Melanie Blow from Rochester, New York. As a survivor of incest, psychological abuse and a host of other childhood trauma, Melanie is the Executive Director of the Stop Abuse Campaign. The mission at the Stop Abuse Campaign is to prevent Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) through public education and public policy. The ACE study looks at three categories of adverse experience: childhood abuse, which included emotional, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse; neglect, including both physical and emotional neglect; and household challenges, which included growing up in a household where there was substance abuse, mental illness, violent treatment of a mother or stepmother, parental separation/divorce or had an incarcerated household member. Respondents earn an ACE score between 0 and 10 based on how many of the 10 types one reports experiencing. Melanie has over two decades of legislative advocacy regarding children's issues. The Stop Abuse Campaign web site says that keeping these educational and advocacy campaigns running requires 'partnering with the best academic minds to turn great solutions into pilot programs and public policies. It requires delivering advocacy training programs and empowering the dedicated organizations that are working to protect children in local communities.' Melanie has been published in newspapers, magazines and blogs all across the country. She served with the Rochester Regional Coalition Against Human Trafficking, The Downstate Crime Victims Coalition Legislative Advocacy team and with Prevent Child Abuse, NY.