May's Newsletter Theme:
Spotlight on issues of Foster Care
and Mental Health Awareness
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New! Three Timely Articles! Look Inside!
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Shine Your
Spotlight on Foster Care and
Mental Health Awareness
!
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a non profit 501(c)3
Because of you and our simple MISSION, more
kids are being protected, more adult survivors served!
NAASCA has a single purpose, to address issues related to childhood abuse and trauma including sexual assault, violent or physical abuse, emotional traumas and neglect .. and we do so from two specific perspectives
:
- educating the public, especially as related to getting society over the taboo of discussing childhood sexual abuse, presenting the facts that show child abuse to be a pandemic, worldwide problem that affects everyone
- offering hope for healing through numerous paths, providing many services to adult survivors of child abuse and information for anyone interested in the many issues involving prevention, intervention and recovery
Building a survivor / activist / professional community ... because
together we can do what we cannot do alone
.
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Hi there, to all NAASCA Newsletter Subscribers,
We're delighted to invite you to join a new NAASCA webinar series on ZOOM.
NAASCA's daytime Recovery Meetings, are now held
Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays
, coming to you virtually on ZOOM. They are hosted by Bill Murray and Linda Vidi, who will lead the meetings.
Please join us, if you wish! You can choose to appear on-camera or not, it's up to you. But no recording is allowed. Every adult is invited to participate. These will be Q&A discussion meetings.
Just register once and you will be informed about all upcoming events in the series.
Let's meet virtually – since we're all 'stuck' at home!
WHEN: Every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday – 2pm EST / 11am PAC
TOPIC: NAASCA's daytime Recovery Meetings
PLEASE NOTE: Registration is required in advance for this webinar:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email. Keep it, as it contains information about joining the webinar and lists all upcoming events in the daytime Recovery Meeting series.
PLEASE PASS IT ON!!!! Linda and I are looking forward to having you join us!
Yours in love and service,
Bill
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Welcome to the May 2020 NAASCA Newsletter
Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter mailing list!
Please encourage others to get in touch by suggesting they
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This month's newsletter theme is:
"
Spotlight on Foster Care and Mental Health Awareness
"
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Upcoming May Dates
National Foster Care Month
National Mental Health Awareness Month
May 5 – National Silence the Shame Day
May 5 – National Foster Care Day
May 10 – Mother’s Day
May 20 – Emergency Medical Services for Children Day
May 24 – Brother’s Day
May 25 – National Missing Children’s Day
~~~~~~~~~
A NOTE FROM BILL
Exciting news !!! NAASCA has gon Spanish !!!
We've launched our first Spanish pages on the NAASCA web site.
To get there simply enter the word 'espanol' after the regular URL .. like this:
The CONTACT page identifies the volunteers who are helping get the Spanish portion of the NAASCA effort up and running.
You're familiar with the English site's tools, services, and resources, and we'll be duplicating many of them in Spanish.
If you encounter other bi-lingual or Spanish folks send them to our two new 'NAASCA en Español' Facebook groups, one
PUBLICO
, the other
CERRADO
.
Please share this info to our Latino NAASCA family members!
And remember, we now do THREE 'special guest' episodes each week .. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
We'll need additional guests to tell their stories in February .. so there are now several slots open that we want to fill in! Please send me an email if you'd like to participate:
[email protected]
The 'Current Schedule' on the front page of our
NAASCA.org
web site accurately reflects the OPEN dates (clearly marked in GRAY).
Here's looking ahead for a wonderful New Year in 2020!!
In gratitude to each of you, I am .. yours in service,
Bill
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Dedicate your birthday to supporting NAASCA
by Bill Murray
Recently, and all of a sudden, it was that time again .. my BIRTHDAY !!! .. (March 26, 1953)
It seems like this happens every year! LOL
There are numerous ways to support our truly unique organization.
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Or, if you prefer, join our
LinkedIn
group!
We're building a survivor / activist community!
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NAASCA's SCAN Shows are Now on Three Platforms!
All our "Stop Child Abuse Now" talk radio shows are now available as 'on-demand' podcasts on three different platforms!
by Bill Murray
It's amazing, but NAASCA and our 'sister effort' LACP (Los Angeles Community Policing) have produced over 3000 "Stop Child Abuse Now" and "Community Matters This Week" talk radio shows!
We do our shows on BlogTalkRadio five-nights-a-week, all but Saturday and Sunday evenings, and each is recorded as it's being aired. It doesn't take long for the library to add up.
Now there are three ways to access these podcasts:
1. Directly through our
NAASCA web site
's 'ARCHIVES' by simply clicking on the episode's name (a number)
2. By using
APPLE Podcasts
for iPhone-style mobile devices – thanks to Dwight Hurych, North Carolina, for setting this up as a NAASCA volunteer!
3. Through
GOOGLE Podcasts
for those who use Android phones – thanks to Charm Isom-Asenime for explaining how to hear our shows on the GOOGLE Podcast platform, too,
NAASCA's 'ARCHIVES' are accessed through the NAASCA website's HOME page where it says 'current schedule'. Each year is listed there.
Please see full details, including how to download the Apple and Google Podcast apps, on the NAASCA website page:
I am so pleased that NAASCA has increased its outreach through these two additional venues!
Please help us SHARE about these new platforms by spreading the word to as many survivors and advocates you can.
We hope this enhances our ability to execute our mission: educating the public about childhood abuse, and offering hope and healing to survivors.
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We All Need A Helping Hand: Be Someone’s Lifeline
During This Time of Social Distancing and Self Isolation, Some of Us Are Forced to Stay in a Nightmare.
Many victims of child abuse can become victims of domestic violence as adults. Whether they marry abusive people, stay with abusive parents, or live with an abusive significant other, they are living a nightmare daily. There is never a time to blame. However, now more than ever, we must be a lifeline to those in need.
Quarantine Brings a Different Meaning to Victims
No one is enjoying quarantine. I, personally, live with my two sons and husband and 4 pets. And I used to think I wanted more time at home. Now I cannot wait to go back to work. I love my family, but there is a reason I was never a stay-at-home mom.
But my minor inconveniences are nothing compared to the true horrors that victims are forced to experience day in and day out. And right now, they feel there is truly nowhere to turn. Maybe a victim was planning the escape. Now they must deal with their abuser daily and wait until this ends.
Maybe a child is being abused by their parents. School was a safe zone. Now there is no safe zone.
Quarantine is not a minor inconvenience when you are being abused. It becomes a daily nightmare that can be much worse than anything most people can even imagine. For us adults who went through abuse as children, we get it. And we need to help.
Offer Help, Even During Social Distancing
The best thing we can do is be the lifeline to help a person get out of a situation. The police and shelters are still operating business as usual. You can be a lifeline using code to help a person leave a situation when they feel stranded.
A code message has been passed around social media. It is posted below. This is one of many ways to be a lifeline to a person in need
Friends,
If you're stuck in quarantine with a toxic or abusive partner, message me about Collectable Figurines (I don't have any) and I will know to continually check in on you.
If you ask me about PLACING AN ORDER AND INCLUDE YOUR ADDRESS, I will know to contact the police.
There has been a 40% increase in domestic violence cases since this quarantine. Please don't be afraid to reach out.
If you're willing, put something similar on your wall. Strength in numbers.
Stay safe,
If you are the person in need of help, we are here for you. And remember,
NAASCA
has a ton of resources available to make sure you and those you love are safe, even during a worldwide pandemic.
Stay safe. Stay healthy. Stay sane.
Deb Ferguson, NAASCA volunteer
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Five Ways to Implement Self-Directed Neuroplasticity
Awash in color, the image on the presenter’s screen reminded me of a summer lightning storm. Every area of the brain lit up like the sky just before the tempest unleashed its brand of fury. This, she explained, was the brain of someone living with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Every area of the brain was firing at the same time, functioning on high-alert yet reducing the capacity of the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain responsible for executive function, to do its job. An MRI image of another brain with only specific areas lit up clearly demonstrated the differences between a typical, healthy brain and a traumatized brain.
Statistics confirm that adult survivors of sexual assault and abuse are at high risk of developing PTSD, a natural response to traumatic, even life-threatening events. Those of us living with this pronounced form of anxiety are familiar with its intrusive nature; we recognize it by such characteristics as hypervigilance, nightmares, dissociation, and more.
While MRI imaging clearly points out the neurological damage left by an abuser, there is hope. The brain is neuroplastic; it has the ability to create new neural pathways over time and, essentially, heal what has been damaged.
As survivors experiencing the stress of a pandemic, our old, familiar responses may naturally begin to assert themselves. Stock market predictions and the nightly news reports cause our cortisol levels to spike, which leads to increased anxiety and looping thought patterns.
Isolation from support groups, therapists, and loved ones could reduce the natural production of dopamine, a feel-good hormone, and leave us feeling depressed or tempted to self-medicate. How are we to cope, or even continue to heal, under such circumstances?
We can choose to employ self-directed neuroplasticity simply and easily, which will slowly begin to create new neurons and pathways in the brain that will help us respond differently to stress, challenges, and emotion.
The following activities support neuroplasticity in a number of ways by enhancing the production of important chemicals like dopamine and fostering growth of new neural pathways.
·
Sleep
-Enjoying restful sleep as someone with PTSD can be a challenge. If you struggle with nightmares, consider keeping a journal next to the bed. When you’re awakened by frightening dreams, record your thoughts. Respond to your body’s cues during the day and indulge in a power nap.
·
Novelty
-Learn to play a musical instrument, garden, speak a different language, or pursue another area of interest.
·
Exercise-
Exercise and movement are key components of neuroplasticity as they reduce the atrophy that occurs as people age. In fact, even walking briskly for a few hours each week can result in brain growth. Many gyms, libraries, and fitness gurus are currently streaming free fitness classes.
·
Fast Intermittently-
Fasting increases neural growth and causes the body to shift its metabolism, a change that results in clearer thinking. Consult a physician, however, before deciding to fast.
·
Intellectual Activities
-Challenge yourself with word games, puzzles, an online course, or read a new book.
These and a variety of other activities that increase novelty, introduce learning, or foster relaxation can help abuse survivors develop neurologic resilience; they are useful for managing traumatic situations and will prove helpful to those within our circles of influence.
Family, friends, and colleagues can all benefit from engaging in similar kinds of self-care. Even in times of crisis, we can choose healthy growth and change.
Tammy Kennington, NAASCA Volunteer
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COVID-19 Isolation Increases Child Sex Abuse
_______________________________________
Special Article by Shari Karney, NAASCA Member and
Founder/President, ROAR As One
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Due to the “social isolation” requirements of the COVID-19 pandemic, child sex abuse has been increasing at unprecedented rates. On April 6, 2020, PBS published an article: “
Why child welfare experts fear a spike of abuse during COVID-19.”
As a NAASCA member and the founder and President of ROAR As One, I had expressed my fears for the children required to “Shelter in Place” with their abuser, who is often a sexual predator caregiver or family member. The PBS article clearly explains the concerns:
“Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the act of going to school and being seen by teachers, staff and fellow students stretched a modest net to help catch children who might be mistreated. Before, someone outside the home might spot a bruise and ask how things were going. Amid social distancing, that oversight is gone. ‘These are all conditions that set up what might lead to child abuse and neglect,’ said [Dr. Robert] Sege, who served on the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect.”
The increased number of child sex abuse victims being added each day of isolation results in an even greater need and impetus for action, not only for the children currently suffering silently at home, but also for those children who survive, only to later discover that they have no options for justice due to short statutes of limitations.
Justice Shouldn’t Depend on Geography
. Today, justice for survivors of child sex abuse depends on geography. If you are a survivor of child sex abuse in one state, you may be denied justice afforded to a similarly situated survivor in another state for the same acts of child sex abuse by the same child abuser because of arbitrary time limitations.
95% of child sex abuse cases go unreported and without consequences
. (U.S. Department of Justice statistics).
To ensure equal justice for survivors of child sex abuse, I am proposing federal legislation that
eliminates the statutes of limitations for child sex abuse civil cases
by creating a
Uniform Statute of Limitations (“Karney USOL Act”)
for civil cases, backward and forwards, in all 50 states, in the federal government, on Native American Tribal Lands, and in the District of Columbia.
This legislation has the support of leading attorneys, child experts, advocates for justice for children, healthcare advocates, nonprofits, as well as celebrities and influencers. The time has come. The proposal is being read by a number of members of the United States Congress.
As a NAASCA member, I wanted all NAASCA family members to be aware of the federal legislation that is being proposed on behalf of all of us survivors of child sex abuse. I thank Bill Murray and NAASCA for providing this opportunity for me to share news of this landmark legislation with you.
Shari Karney, Esq.
818 / 422-2197
Justice for Survivors
The US is ranked #36 in how it treats its children
~~~~~
NAASCA’s "Stop Child Abuse Now" (SCAN) shows are broadcast live 5 nights a week, Monday through Friday, LIVE at 8pm EST (so 5pm PST) for 90 minutes, at this link:
www.BlogTalkRadio.com/NAASCA
The dedicated call-in number is: 646-595-2118
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NAASCA's Grateful to All Our Members & Volunteers !
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We Need YOU!
We Need Each Other!
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Fighting For Kids,
Serving Adult Survivors
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Did you know that NAASCA is
entirely staffed by non-paid volunteers
including the Board of Directors?
All the services, programs, tools, resources, and social media efforts that we offer entirely
FREE
to anyone, anytime, anywhere in the world are staffed by volunteers from our NAASCA family!
It literally would not be possible without
YOU
.
There are many ways you can volunteer with NAASCA. If you have a little time or a lot, your help is greatly appreciated and needed. Check out our list of available positions here:
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A gift to NAASCA, created for us by Terri Lanahan of Butte, Montana, author of "
Hear My Voice
".
This is a tool anyone can download and use as a help whenever making a presentation on child abuse and trauma. It's a set of some two dozen PowerPoint slides that one can show on a laptop, send in an email, or can project on a screen for a larger group. Activist members of the NAASCA family might want to use it to explain any number of aspects of child abuse and trauma recovery.
Terri's wonderful PowerPoint presentation is located on NAASCA web site's '
Promotional Tools
' page and in our social media groups.
Show off NAASCA -- our mission, services and tools !
REMEMBER .. On the NAASCA web page you'll find links to
how to get
even more great help
when making presentations or during fundraising:
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Have You Listened to Our Talk Radio Show Lately ?
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Monday through Friday evenings we broadcast an internet-based live streaming talk show. This is one of the best
FREE
SERVICES we offer to our NAASCA members!
All shows start at
8pm EST
(so that's
7pm CEN
,
6pm MTN
&
5pm PAC
)
We really want to hear from you!
Anyone can participate or just listen to the show by calling:
(646) 595-2118
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Are You a Survivor of Child Abuse Looking for Support?
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In need of support in your local community?
NAASCA provides listings for your local area in our
Recovery Groups and Services
page.
We have gathered ALL the English speaking recovery groups and services we can find,
not only in
North America but from around the world. This list can connect you with numerous agencies, therapy, support groups and other resources in your local area.
Looking for support after hours or from home?
Can't find a group you can get to easily or want to connect when it is after business hours? Needing a way to talk about your story but want to stay anonymous? We also provide a link to another separate listing for
Online Groups and Services
, for Internet-based recovery groups.
As you can imagine, keeping this listing current and updated is a huge task. You can help other survivors find the support they need.
Submit updates for the '
Recovery Groups List
' to Carolin O'Hara:
Submit any updates for the '
Online Resource List
' to Valerie:
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You are not alone, and never have to be, a day at a time!
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All members of NAASCA are part of our 'NAASCA family', and that's not just something we say. We care about each other and that includes YOU.
We want you to feel comfortable reaching out to any of our volunteers, with any of your questions about what NAASCA offers, or for help navigating the website.
Even if you simply want someone to talk to when you are dealing with a difficult moment in your recovery as a survivor... we are here for you.
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Some are listed as night owls, some as available 24/7, others are part of our International community, still others are young or helping some specific types of survivors. Try it!
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A Note from Our Founder and CEO:
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Healing from child abuse and trauma can be a very lonely journey .. but you'll never be alone again, a day at a time, if you don't want to be !!
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NAASCA belongs to no other group and receives no outside funding. We're self-supporting through our own members' voluntary contributions.
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Please consider a one time
or recurring donation
.
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Thanking you for all you do in the fight against child abuse and trauma and welcoming you to engage with your NAASCA family, I remain, as always,
Yours in service,
Bill Murray
, Founder and CEO
National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse.
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