MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Author Janine Haun, formerly addicted to substances as a result of her molestation as a child, will participate in the much-anticipated video based on her book, Three Steps to Heaven, next week.
Haun suffered cirrhosis of the liver from which she miraculously recovered. This brought about a new purpose for her life, to help others.
"I believe this is very important at this time when women being molested resulted in the Me Too movement, and child sexual abuse is also being discussed due to perpetrators campaigning to be treated as simply having a sexual orientation for infants, small children, etc.
This concerns me deeply, as a victim of abuse. My book documents how it had a devastating effect on my whole life."
Haun says that what saddens her most is that the child being molested is often sworn to secrecy. She says this abuse of power results in a double-trauma. This mostly results in an identity as the guilty party, with feelings of shame and a confused view of relationships, family and society.
"I personally regarded myself as 'inherently bad' which resulted in problems coping in life. Society imposed labels on me as 'unforgiving', 'bi-polar', an 'addict', basically a hopeless case."
Haun now operates as a counsellor and studies narrative therapy.
"We have conversations to find a new story for their future. Their bodies, voices and beliefs were violated and disregarded when they were helpless. "This also renders victims vulnerable as adults to molestation and domestic violence. This must be overturned not only in each victim's life, but also in our society as we stand for change and justice."
Haun's video will be spread widely to children's homes, places of safety, wherever it can make a difference in a damaged child's life or an adult suffering from a life of despair and hopelessness.
Anyone wanting to offer sponsorship to this project, can contact Janine Haun (janine9.oliver@gmail.com).
Read a related article: Author wants to help others heal
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