CORNWALL – An abuse survivor says the Children’s Treatment Center stands out in its field of treating child abuse compared to its U.S. counterparts and those around the world.
Nicole Braddock Bromley detailed her abuse at the hands of her stepfather while growing up in rural Ohio during the CTC Celebrity Walk and Breakfast at the Cornwall Civic Complex on Thursday morning.
When Bromley eventually revealed to her mother what was happening, her stepdad killed himself.
“Healing is a lifelong journey. And what I really love (and) was so impressed with (is) the fact that children can come here not only for free but they’re allowed to come back after a certain period of time. That is unheard of,” Bromley told the audience of around 600.
She says children can get therapy in the U.S. but it’s expensive and “once you’re done, you’re done.”
She says healing from abuse is like an onion. “There are layers and layers to the pain and the lies you believe about yourself and the lies you believe about others…it’s a constant unpeeling (sic) to get to the real root of who you are and to find your purpose in life.”
Bromley says what Cornwall does is “a beautiful process” she hasn’t seen “anywhere else” in 17 years travelling across the world visiting treatment centers. “You have something very special here.”
“You lose this center, you’re losing everything,” she stated. The Children’s Treatment Center is completely locally funded and receives no government money.
Bromley, 39, is the founder and executive director of OneVOICE4freedom – a non-profit that works to stop child trafficking around the world. She is also an author.
This year the CTC walk and breakfast also falls on Ontario Dress Purple Day to raise awareness about preventing child abuse.