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Tonight's special guest is\xa0Sylvia Goalen\xa0from\xa0Lawrenceville, Georgia\xa0(Atlanta area). She's a survivor of child abuse who's a recipient of the\xa0Darkness To Light, Stewards of Children\xae\xa0Voice of Courage award for her contribution to the fight against sexual child abuse.\xa0Originally from Guatemala, Sylvia is a member of a large\xa0Hispanic\xa0family (her\xa0mom is one of 21 children). As an immigrant and survivor, she's written an article on the D2L website .. 'A Hispanic Perspective\xa0on Abuse'. "I know there is stigma that surrounds sexual abuse; the perspective in Hispanic communities is that we do not share our pain or talk about uncomfortable topics." She continues, "At times I recall the fun memories of being with so many cousins." But she also remembers the first time she experienced sexual abuse. Her\xa0cousin took her to the room where her grandmother had died. "As one of the younger cousins I was taught to be submissive, to listen to my elders, to do as I was told.\xa0No one questioned that we were alone, especially not me." Because of this experience, as she became a parent she became incredibly cautious about where her children are allowed to go, and with whom, a helicopter parent. Sylvia learned in her recovery that\xa0sharing one's issues with someone who is also a survivor makes it easier to disclose. "You feel like you have common issues and you are sharing your story."\xa0It's difficult it is to share one's story with someone for the first time, not being sure if one feels safe,\xa0without feeling blame or shame.