When it comes to predators there is no such thing as a safe place. Unfortunately, evil can penetrate the walls of our homes, schools, and even our place of worship. This month's Hero Award goes to a Skip Shea. When Skip was only 11 years old, he suffered sexual abuse at the hands of a catholic priest in Massachusetts. It started when the priest befriended the small boy who worked after school as an alter boy. When Skip turned 13 years old, this same priest along with other priests exposed Skip to alcohol. It wasn't long after this exposure that this impressionable young teen became an alcoholic.
Years of pain followed Skip who went on to become a father of twin girls. Skip reached a desperate place in his life and attempted suicide in 1993 but it wasn't until 2002, that he was able to gain control and become sober. However, around the same time the story broke about the scandal in the Catholic Church in Boston. This took its toll on Skip and he went back to old habits and coping mechanisms. He was fearful that his secret would be known. He did not drink, but the idea of suicide was once again a comfort to him.
Skip suffered more devastating pain when, Shawna, one of his twin girls, died in a car accident. He did not want to put her sister, Erin, through another funeral. So he made the call to a hospital. He was put in an emergency services shelter run by Riverside Community Care. He was in there for a few weeks then discharged to a day treatment program, also run by Riverside. He was then diagnosed with PTSD, with symptoms of chronic depression, anxiety disorder, and mild psychosis. He worked hard at healing and spent the next 18 months in group therapy for six hours a day, five days a week. Skip says, "In essence, I had to retrain the brain of an 11 year old, as that was when I began to learn all of my unhealthy skills. They gave me the strength. They saved my life."
Skip states that his most important words of advice for other survivors are: "You must realize this is not your fault. Don't be afraid of the secret that is sexual abuse. Speak the truth. And get proper help to deal with it. You are not alone with this and you will be amazed at the support you will get from others who have walked this path." Skip's hard work and determination to heal is an inspiration to us all!
Skip has been telling his story through a one-man show called "Catholic (Surviving Abuse & Other Dead End Roads)" which debuted in 2005 in New York City. He is also working with a group, the Coalition to Reform Sex Abuse Laws and the Governor's Office in Massachusetts to eliminate the statutes of limitation of sexual abuse of children and possibly set up a commission, either legislatively or through the Governor's office. His book, Catholic (Surviving Abuse & Other Dead End Roads) is available on Amazon.
Are you a Predators Survivor Hero? Do you know someone that was a victim of crime and has moved beyond his or her situation to make a difference for others? If so, we want to hear from you about this true survivor! Please send your suggestions to us via our Contact Us page.
Lesson Learned From Virginia Tech
If the tragedy at Virginia Tech taught us anything, it is that planning for emergencies is critical, as are the critical thinking skills associated with such tragedies. How are you prepared at home, at work or at school?
What type of door and window locks keeps your home safe? What potential weapons (other than firearms) are readily available to you at home? Do you have an escape plan in your home? What about at work? How close are you to the nearest exit and how long would it take you to get there? The same question applies for your school or classroom.
Unfortunately, we have to think through such things. Critical thinking fosters critical action should the unthinkable become reality. We have a saying in self-defense: "You will react the way you train to react." Thinking, planning, and training are the keys to survival and all it takes by way of investment is time and brainpower.
Thank you for writing - we love hearing from you! Each month we will post your thoughts and suggestions for healing in this section of the newsletter.
"I survived my crime by reading as much as I could about it. I believe education is the key to moving out beyond the fear and back into your own life..."
If you have something to share, please send it to us via our Contact Us page.
Recommended Viewing
Great Safety DVD for Kids!
"This fun video teaches kids important lessons about safety through music, dance and games. Both the DVD and VHS packages include a guide for grown-ups and three music CDs to take along for the ride! Special offer from the creators of this incredibly popular program: Usually $29.99, but now offered for only $19.99 (plus shipping/handling $3 - total $22.99)"
Last month, Heather Grossman won the 2007 Ms. Wheelchair Arizona pageant and will represent the state in New York in July. Wish her luck. She will continue to get the word out that there is life after a wheelchair and abuse has no place in this world.
Safety Tip:
Never sit in your car in a parking lot and do paper work, balance your checkbook, etc. Get in your car, lock your doors, and leave.
Check out Dr. Eric's Important Commentary this month on Predators.tv
Questions for the Predators Team:
Do you have a question or comment about a particular type of crime? Email your questions to the Predators Crime Prevention Specialist - Retired Officer Carl Duke!
If you have been a victim of a predator related crime and would like to submit your story for the Predators book, please send it to us at info@predators.tv.
We would like to thank Matthew Upton at MNM WebWorks for sponsoring this newsletter and the Predators web site.
