A survivor of sexual abuse, satanic ritualistic abuse, and child pornography, Lauren Stratford is asked regularly to advise law enforcement officials, mental health professionals, and parents of abused children on the devastating effects of these atrocities which are difficult to believe but continue to grow in our country.
Agencies such as the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the Cult Crime Impact Network, and the National Coalition Against Pornography have used Ms. Stratford's expertise and experience in recognizing satanic ritualistic abuse. Ms. Stratford also provides valuable assistance in the counseling and treatment of survivors of satanic crimes and child abuse.
Since Satan's Underground was first published in 1988, Ms. Stratford has been speaking openly about ritualistic abuse and child pornography in public forums such as law enforcement seminars, counseling seminars, and national talk shows such as "The Oprah Winfrey Show," "Larry King Live," "Sally Jesse Raphael," "Geraldo," and many others.
Satan's Underground has received endorsements from such experts as John Rabun, Deputy Director of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children; Kenneth Wooden, former special investigative reporter for ABC News' "20/20"; and Hal Lindsey, best-selling author and authority on cults.
Letters from fellow abuse survivors started pouring in after the publication of Satan's Underground. In response to their praise for her encouraging advice, Ms. Stratford wrote I Know You're Hurting, a guide to rebuilding spirituality and self-esteem for victims of ritualistic abuse of any kind—emotional, physical, sexual, or spiritual. The book, like Satan's Underground, was originally published by Harvest House, but was pulled in its first few days after controversy erupted over Satan's Underground.
Ms. Stratford, a member of the Los Angeles County Women's Commission Task Force on Ritual Abuse, helped edit the country's first government-sponsored information booklet on the topic. She is also a member of Make Today Count, an international support group for people with life-threatening illnesses, and has organized a support group called Victims Against Sexual Abuse. She is the founder of Confidential Ministries and has ministered to thousands through the mail, over the phone, and through seminars. She is determined to offer real hope and healing to those with pain of all types through her generous commitment to survivors everywhere.