Children Out Of The Dark

Reflection On My Project Experience

2010-05-18T10:11:00.000-07:00

Reflection On My Project Experience

Doing this project made me realize how important of an issue child abuse really is. When I researched and looked up facts about child abuse, I was shocked about how widespread this problem is. A report of child abuse is made every ten seconds! When I had interviewed someone who was actually abused, I started to realize that the most harmful part about child abuse is actually the emotional pain that results from it. Some people can spend a lifetime never talking about it, and some people can spend a lifetime never getting over it. After the interview, I was more than ever inspired to do my blog and write more posts.
Everyone should be aware of this issue because, the more people who are aware of this issue, the more people who won't do it, and who will report other people who are, or try to help others who need it. There are tons of ways of getting involved like, offering a helping hand to others, or something small like donating money to organizations that help and deal with children who have experience child abuse. I'm doing my part as a member of this community, and trying to raise awareness by doing this blog. My blog is basically all about raising awareness and educating others. Knowledge really is in fact power. If people are educated, then they can make educated decisions.
Overall, I felt that doing this blog was a really good experience. It really opened my eyes. The statistics, the stories, all of it. My main reaction was just being shocked most of the time. After that, came feelings of sympathy, and then, just feeling inspired to do more. I feel really touched by this project.

Behind Closed Doors

2010-05-18T02:37:00.000-07:00

What I think people should understand is that child abuse is done behind closed doors. Maybe there is a reason for why child abuse isn't as important of an issue as some may think. Usually there aren't any witnesses, and even when there are, they most likely do not want to report what had happened. Some people can go their whole life never talking about their experiences. Some people won't get over the emotional pain for a lifetime.

Here is an except from a personal story someone had written for an organization called ChildHelp.

Excerpt:

"I feel that there needs to be more public awareness about what actually happens to an abused child. I want to make the public aware of the fact that child abuse is done behind closed doors.

There aren’t any witnesses. That this happens on an ongoing basis; it’s not a one-time thing. Please help me get the word out there. Let’s get together and help our communities become more aware of this horrible problem. Help me realize a promise that I made to myself a long time ago: that if I made it through my ordeal, I would do whatever I could to help another child like me."

To read the full story click here.

Story from:

http://www.childhelp.org/stories/entry/lisa-b.-in-her-own-words/

Let's Break The Cycle!

2010-05-18T02:25:00.000-07:00

~About 30% of abused and neglected children will later abuse their own children, continuing the horrible cycle of abuse.

We can't just keep waiting and depending on the next generation of kids to stop the cycle. Stopping the cycle begins with us, right now. If we don't put an end to this now, the next generation of kids won't be the leaders, they'll be the victims of this horrible cycle. Let's give everyone a brighter future. Take a stand against child abuse.

Statistics from:

http://www.childhelp.org/pages/statistics

Did You Know...

2010-05-18T02:14:00.000-07:00

This is a graph showing the number of child deaths per day due to child abuse and neglect.

Did you know...Almost five children die everyday as a result of child abuse? More than three out of four are under the age of 4.

Picture and information from:

http://www.childhelp.org/pages/statistics

Quote Of The Day

2010-05-18T02:13:00.001-07:00

"Children will not remember you for the material things you provided but for the feeling that you cherished them."
~Richard L Evans

Resources

2010-05-17T18:14:00.000-07:00

If you think a child has been abused you can call the Oahu Hawaii Child Welfare Services 24-hour hotline at 808-823-5300. Or call 9-1-1 for immediate help too. If you do not receive an answer for the Hawaii Child Welfare Services 24 hour hotline number then you can call Childhelp (800-422-4453) for assistance.

Remember, reporting child abuse can hep save a childs life.

Information from:

http://alcoholism.about.com/od/children/qt/Abuse_Hawaii.htm

10 Ways To Prevent Child Abuse

2010-05-17T17:58:00.000-07:00

Child abuse isn't something that just happens, it is very much preventable. Here are 10 ways of preventing child abuse.

Be a nurturing parent. Every parent needs to make their children feel special, loved, and capable of following their dreams. Also, parents need to have realistic expectations.
Offer a helping hand to others who may be struggling with parenting.
Help yourself. Don't take out any anger on your children. Even if your life is overwhelming, there are other was to relieve stress.
Respect your kids. Respect works both ways.
Get involved. Help in any way you can in your community to provide services for other families in need.
Help develop parenting resources at your library.
Promote programs in schools, and help everyone to be aware and educated.
Monitor what your child is watching on tv and also videos they may be watching. Watching films that may be really violent might promote violent behavior for your children.
Volunteer at a local child abuse program.
Report suspected abuse or neglect.

Information from:

http://www.preventchildabusehawaii.org/prevent.php

Quote Of The Day

2010-05-10T16:00:00.001-07:00

"Child abuse does not go away, but 90 percent of child abuse is preventable,"

~Karen Adams

Interview

2010-05-10T11:04:00.000-07:00

I had a person with past personal experience with child abuse, come and talk to me about it. I wanted to hear their story, and I wanted them to tell their story, so that their story never remained in the dark.

Interview:

Me: So how did it start?

Guest: I think it's always been like this.

Me: Why was your parent(s) abusive?

Guest: They always said it was because I was a bad kid. Bad kids deserved to be punished.

Me: What were some of the things they'd do to you?

Guest: They would always bring out the belt and hit me with it, sometimes they'd use their hands to hit me. Sometimes they threw things too.

Me: Was it your dad or your mom?

Guest: Mostly my dad.

Me: What would your mom do while this was occurring?

Guest: She'd watch. She probably thought I deserved it too. She was the one who would tell my dad.

Me: Did you ever call the police? Find someone for help?

Guest: No. No matter what they did to me, they were still family. I couldn't turn my back on my family.

Me: How do you think this affected you? Emotionally and/or physically?

Guest: I was scared all the time. I became really anxious all the time. I'd be incredibly cautious about what I said to them. My friends knew, but they knew not to tell.

Me: What happened as you grew older?

Guest: The beatings came in less and less. Maybe I grew out of it, or maybe they did. Maybe I became a good child?

Me: Well thank you for your time. Is there anything else you would like to say?

Guest: No problem. And yes. Just know, if this is happening to you, or it has, just remember that it is not your fault. Don't think that something like this could ever result from something you did. God would not have wanted for this to happen to you.

2010-05-10T10:02:00.000-07:00

Here is some featured poetry about child abuse from an anonymous artist.

"Never Shall The White Dove Die"
By: Anonymous

In my heart lies such sad sorrow
And questions to which there is no reply

In my eyes acid tears now gather
As from man I hear words that lie

In my lines, at times, such confusion
Though I try to pen them well

It seems we live in subjugation
As we make our Earth a hell

I walk in silence along a path
A Rabbit bounces on his way

I whisper softly a short prayer
And wish tomorrow, a better day

Why I ask is there such hatred
Why do children die in vain

And for most there is no liberty
These I question, the answer, pain

I gaze upon the open sky
Peace on Earth is still a dream

For in the heavens stands an angel
By a brook now glistening

And never shall the White Dove die
And no more shall the children cry

What Is Child Abuse?

2010-04-15T09:48:00.000-07:00

What is Child Abuse and Neglect considered as, according to the federal law?

Any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker, which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation; or
An act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm.

There are also many subcategories to Child Abuse and Neglect. Some of those are:

Physical Abuse (nonaccidental physical injury)
Neglect (Physical, Medical, Educational, Emotional)
Sexual Abuse
Emotional Abuse
Abandonment

Information from:

http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/whatiscan.cfm