We'd like to share with you the real stories of some of the children we serve at the Community Coalition Against Family Violence. These are true stories, but the names have been changed to protect the children's identities, and the photographs have been substituted.

From the age of 4 to 7, little Angela had been sexually abused by her own stepfather, who was eventually incarcerated for the abuse. Her mother, who was also sexually abused by her stepfather as a child, was dealing with the horrible guilt and realization of how this trauma kept her from protecting her own daughter.

After many months of working with caring staff and a specially-trained therapist who focused on her special needs, Angela moved into our Aspire program and now lives at home with her mother and new, caring stepdad. She is learning to trust again as well as how to develop healthy relationships. It's wonderful to see her walking in the door with her head held high, her hair fixed, and wearing brightly colored clothes!

TIMMY     Timmy, age 6, stole food after he arrived at the CCAFV office and hid it in his pockets. When asked by one of our staff why he was hiding food -- that there we could get him whatever he needed -- Timmy's story came out.

His mother was a prostitute. Timmy's father beat him and then "made up" through sexual involvement with Timmy. Because of the household violence, things like regular meal times and having food on hand were unheard of. Timmy had learned to steal and hide food for his self-preservation. It took Timmy a long time to trust that snacks and good meals are readily available at CCAFV. Now that Timmy isn't worried about being abused or finding food, he can focus on his recovery.

CARLA     For the first 10 years of her life, Carla didn't know what love was. All she knew was getting slapped across the face, punched in the chest, or screamed at because she was "worthless". She was seldom cared for by her mother, but usually by one or another of her mother's live-in boyfriends. Some of the men took advantage of Carla or let their anger out on her. Even at age 10, Carla began hanging out with a group of older kids and bragged that she was in a gang. In her healing process, Carla learned to understand her inherent value and continues to stay on the right path of health, happiness and empowerment.

CODY     Cody's dad was a good shot. The large, powerful man would take his rifle and hold it near Cody's head, making threats about "blasting" the little boy. Fortunately, he never did. His father made the threats because Cody tried to protect his mother. When Cody tried to intervene, his father would make him stand in a corner, then aim a rifle near Cody's head. Cody's story is startlng to hear, but here at CCAFV it is actually a very typical life story for the children we treat. Cody's recovery continues. As with many children, it is a long and difficult process, involving special schooling, intensive therapy, and giving structure to his life.

JOE     The cycle of child abuse was certainly being repeated in Joe's family. As a 10-year-old child, Joe's mother had left home because of abusive parents. At age 9, Joe started hurting himself, acting out because he'd been sexually and physically abused. When Joe came to us, he had already been in another treatment center and two psychiatric hospitals. Eventually his mother joined him in therapy, and they have begun to make progress.

You hear the term "cycle of child abuse" often, but it has real meaning. As one staff member said, "I've never seen a case of first-generation abuse." Abuse is a learned behavior from parents and caregivers, and gets passed down like a terrible legacy. We know at CCAFV that healing helps break the cycle of child abuse and has the ripple effect of helping all of society.

KIKI     11-year-old Kiki came to us after disclosing in a prevention education class that the man she called her father had been sexually abusing her for a number of years. Upon further investigation, Kiki's story was even sadder than first suspected.

Kiki's mother was a drug addict that was unable to care for her daughter. So, she found some a seemingly good-hearted couple to take Kiki in. The 56-year-old male figure began raping Kiki almost as soon as she came to live with them. When Kiki told her "mother", she was dismissed as a liar and trouble-maker. This went on for three years.

When Kiki finally got the courage to tell someone, she was already 4 months pregnant by the man who was supposed to protect and care for her. Today, Kiki and her child are with a loving family, and Kiki is receiving much-needed therapy.