Published: August 08, 2008 01:06 pm      

Author gives presentation on child abuse

Ada — Oklahoma author Victoria Lee is traveling the nation with a presentation on stopping the effects of childhood abuse. Lee will be sharing the steps she took to restore her self-image and take control of her life Saturday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Ada Public Library. The event is free and open to the public.

Lee said she believes too many adults have been silently weeping because of the events of their past. They are either too afraid or too ashamed to let the world know the pain is still on an ongoing basis. They can’t bear to be told once again — “It happened a long time ago, can’t you just get over it?”

In her book, “A Way Out,” Lee discusses teaching adults how to overcome childhood abuse.

One out of four adults in the United States have suffered some form of childhood abuse. Lee said individuals try to cover the pain through alcoholism, drug addiction, violence, promiscuity, sexual perversion and other debilitating behaviors. “They battle with feelings of inferiority and struggle to feel safe in the world around them,” she said.

They suffer with panic attacks, anger, depression, compulsive behaviors, fear, eating disorders, nightmares, self-mutilation, suicide attempts and other disturbing effect, according to Lee.

“Child abuse is not a topic that is easy to talk about, much less confront, but it is critical that we do so,” Brad Henry, governor of Oklahoma said. “I commend Victoria Lee for her compassion, courage and determination to make a real difference. It is my hope that her book can help break the cycle of child abuse and provide a measure of comfort to those who are impacted by this societal ill.”

Certificates of hours attended will be issued as needed.