“Dr. Griffis, I read about your work in the book Painted Black and I badly need your help,” a female voice on the other end of the line entreated. “My name is Cheryl Hersha and….” She paused and her voice trailed off, then grew agitated again. “I know you are going to find this hard to believe, but my sister and I are the victims of violent abuse beginning in our childhoods and which continues for both of us up to this day. It was perpetrated not only by our father, but by the United States government. You have to help. No one believes us.”