Fight Against Child Abuse

My experience with child abuse is mostly verbal. My dad is a recovering alcoholic now and I love and cherish him dearly, but back then he would call my siblings, mother and I all sorts of things in addition to other psychological tactics I'd rather not describe. To this day I struggle to have a good relationship with my father. He is a much kinder man now, but it's hard to erase it all.

Most people don't consider verbal abuse a form of abuse. I still struggle to believe it myself. I wasn't neglected, sexually or physically abused. Therefore, I consider myself lucky. However; verbal abuse is a real form of abuse and I had to come to terms with this. It helps me understand why I suffered with depression, lived most of my life with low self-esteem, had trouble communicating with people and as a young girl nearly starved myself into disappearance.

It is when I came to terms with it all that that I began to heal. I began to live a more open and healthier life. I believe in myself more. I believe I am important. I know I am strong, but not just physically... mentally too. I can do anything if I set my mind to it. I make a difference. I can help people. I can leave a positive impact on this earth if I choose.

I have learned over the years how to use my words to better myself and help others. This is why I love to write. I also now know my father is sorry for the things that he said and I understand him and his disease a little better now too. This too is healing

Child abuse is exactly what it sounds like, abuse of a child, maltreatment of a child, physical, emotional, neglect and or sexual harm to a child, Abuse of a child can happen anywhere but most reported cases happen in the child's home or by someone they know.

Types of Abuse:
Physical Abuse
Neglect
Sexual Abuse
Emotional Abuse (psychological/verbal abuse/mental injury

A few years ago I lived next door to a woman and her three beautiful children. The oldest two were 5 year old twins. One day I came home to find the children standing outside in the heat. When I say heat I mean it was hot and the children appeared to have been waiting there waiting for her, to no avail. So I asked them where there mother was. They didn't know. I asked them when she would be home. They didn't know. I didn't know what to do. Was I suppose to leave them out there in the heat? I had my own kids to tend to. I didn't know who to call and I had no idea when or if the the mother would come home. Maybe she was running a little late....

Maybe it was illegal, I don't know, but I didn't have the heart to let them stand out there in the heat so I let them come into my home. I gave them some water and I waited for their mom. She finally came, about half an hour later, and came knocking at my door (I taped a note to her door letting her know her kids were at my place). She said hi. Said she was late and then took her kids home.

This wouldn't have been a problem had it only happened once, but eventually her kids began to knock on my door knowing there mom wouldn't be home. I began to take them to the front office at the apartments afraid of their mom taking legal action against me, she seemed like the greedy type of mom to do that. I felt bad for the little kids who looked at me and even asked me why I no longer wanted them to come over. It broke my heart.

Then one day, I get a knock at my door in the early morning. The little girl and her brother are in front of my door smiling. The girl is holding her little baby brother in her arms. She could barely carry him. I ask them where there mom is. They don't know. I ask them who is taking care of them. They say no one. I walk over next door and knock on the door. No one answers. Are these kids all alone at home? Yes.

I called the police again. I hated to do it, but I did. About half an hour later before the police arrive the mom comes over looking for her kids. I tell her what happened and she tells me a story that her cousin is sleeping upstairs. So why didn't her cousin answer when I knocked and why didn't she notice that the kids are not there? I didn't ask her this I just simply told her I had no idea what happened to her and I wanted the kids to be safe. She was angry and took the kids home.

After that the kids stopped coming over. They always looked so sad and the little girl always looked at me with big puppy eyes whenever I would see her in the parking lot coming home from school. A few months later in the middle of the night I heard something that sounded like shouting and doors shutting. The next day they were all gone. I still worry about those kids. My heart goes out to them and I hope with all my heart that they are okay.

I have more stories to tell, but they are only more heartbreaking. Children abusing children.... Then there are the stories on the news. You know the ones I'm talking about.... child found broken.... I get so angry. Why do people do this? Why are people so cruel? Why didn't anyone notice and if they did why didn't they say or do anything? Sometimes all it takes is a phonecall.

If you ever suspect child abuse it is important to report it. You could be saving a child's life.

Gather as much information about the child, the abuser as you can. Provide that information to the police or the child abuse center.

There are a number of people you can report the child abuse to if you suspect any. I copied these numbers from helpguide.org

If you suspect a child is in immediate danger contact law enforcement as soon as possible.

To get help in the U.S., call:
1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) - Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline

To get help for child sexual abuse, call:
1-888-PREVENT (1-888-773-8368) - Stop It Now

1-800-656-HOPE Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)

Also "visiting a state's child abuse website will also help you learn about mandatory child abuse reporting laws that you may be subject to" (About.com ).