Thank you for joining us

Well, now that we have the hang of making a homepage we thought maybe we could add a little meaning to it. Afterall, we don't want to seem vain!!

Mommy works in the health/social service field and works a lot with the topic we have chosen to write about....Child Abuse.
One case is one case too many in child abuse. All children have rights. Those rights include the right to be loved, the right to a home, the right to feel secure, the right to trust, the right to be protected from harm. These rights do not include the right to be abused but the right to be protected from abuse.
We have included a poem (author unknown but if anyone out there knows who wrote this touching poem please e-mail us so we can properly credit them) written by a young child experiencing abuse. This poem is very sad and if you know anyone that could benefit from this poem please print it out and share it with them. We also included a few facts on identifying child abuse that you may find interesting.

Thank you for taking the time to read the following.



A letter to my teddy bear...


Teddy, I've been bad again, my mommy told me so
I'm not quite sure what I did wrong but I thought that you might know
When I woke up this morning, I knew that she was mad
Cause she was crying awful hard and yelling at my dad
I tried my best to be real good and do just what she said
I cleaned my room all by myself and even made my bed

But I spilled milk on my good shirt when she yelled at me to hurry
And I guess she didn't hear me when I told her I was sorry
Cause she hit me really hard you see and called me funny names
She told me I was really bad and I should be ashamed
When I said "I love you mommy", I guess she didn't understand
Cause she yelled at me to close my mouth or I'd be smacked again

So I came up here to talk to you, please tell me what to do
Cause I really love my mommy and I know she loves me too
And I don't think my mommy means to hit me quite so hard
I guess sometimes grown ups forget how big they really are

So teddy, I wish you were real and that you weren't just a bear
Then you could find a way to tell parents everywhere
To please try to understand how sad it makes us feel
Cause the outside pain soon goes away but the inside never heals
And if we could make them listen, maybe then they'd understand
So other children just like me, wouldn't have to hurt again


This poem may have been written by someone you know...


CHILDREN GROW UP TO BE
THE LOVE THEY KNOW

Child Abuse...The physical, emotional injury, sexual abuse, negligent treatment or maltreatment of children under the age of 18 by adults entrusted with their care.

The abusive treatment of children by people entrusted with their care is a growing social problem. There is no question that child abuse is bad for our children. In some cases, abusive treatment is fatal.

Identifying Child Abuse...

The nature of a physical ailment or injury can be a sign of abuse. Unexplained eye damage is a common finding in battered children.
Multiple bruises, burns, lacerations and abrasions in various stages of healing are other signs of frequent, reacurring abuse.
If a child displays a painful inability to move certain parts of the body, this might suggest dislocations or fractures.
Head injuries may be diagnoised through neurological tests.

Did you know many children who die as a result of battering have had bite marks on their bodies?

Nonaccidental poisoning is another common occurance in child abuse cases. Parents suspicious behaviour is another tell tale clue of abuse.
Often the parents account of a childs injury does not explain the symptoms. They don't match up.
Some parents may also delay seeking medical help for their injured child because of abuse which leads to serious illness for the child.

AS ADULTS WE HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT ANY SUSPICIOUS BEHAVIOUR REGARDING CHILD ABUSE TO THE PROPER AUTHORITIES. CHILDRENS AID, THE POLICE, SOMEONE, ANYONE WHO CAN HELP GET THE PROPER HELP.
YOU CANNOT IGNORE THE PROBLEM.
IT WON'T GO AWAY
IT CAN ONLY GET WORSE

This page hosted by GeoCities Get your own Free Home Page