Characteristics of an abused Child:
Emotional problems, illness, Increased fears,
anger, Increased risk of abuse, injuries and death.
Repetition of abuse behavior, problems in school,
increase in fights, drug and alcohol
abuse. Problems with the law.
~A Time To Believe~
To believe is to know that every day is a new beginning.
It is to trust that miracles happen,
and dreams really do come true.
To believe is to see angels dancing among the clouds,
To know the wonder of a stardust sky
and the wisdom of the man in the moon.
To believe is to know the value of a nurturing heart,
The innocence of a child's eyes
and the beauty of an aging hand,
for it is through their teachings we learn to love.
To believe is to find the strength
and courage that lies within us.
When it is time to pick up the pieces and begin again.
To believe is to know we are not alone,
That life is a gift and this is our time to cherish it.
To believe is to know that wonderful surprises are just
waiting to happen, and all our hopes and dreams are within
reach.
~Author unknown~
National Child Abuse Hotline 1-800-792-5200
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline/Voices for Children
1-800-4ACHILD or 1-800-422-4453
TDD: 1-800-2A-CHILD.
Provides multilingual crisis intervention and proffesional
counseling on child abuse. Gives referrals to local social
service groups offering counseling on child abuse. Has
literature on child abuse in English and Spanish.
Operates 24 hours.
1.32% of Americans have seen an adult physically abuse a child.
2.66% have seen an adult emotionally abuse a child.
3.47% have seen an adult neglect a child, ignore a child's
needs, fail to feed or clothe properly or withhold affection.
1.57% thought it was none of their business.
2.50% didn't know what the proper response might be.
3.23% were afraid other people might interpret response
as overreacting.
4.19% were concerned for their own personal safety.
5.17% thought the parent's actions might be justified.
Personally, I feel as though no one should think twice about
saving a child's life.
When to suspect child abuse
The history given for a problem is unsatisfactory, or
is contradictory when told to different people.
A child is inappropriatly fearful or docile.
The environment in which the child is living in includes
misuse of drugs or alcohol by adults, or adults show
loss of control or disturbance.
Adults express unrealistic exceptations for a child.
Adults do not understand or respond inappropriatly to
the seriousness of the situation.
Adults are reluctant to give information.
A child is apparently dehydrated or malnourished,
without obvious cause a child has been given inappropriate
food, drink, or drugs. Parents are isolated and have no
"bail out" mechanism when things get rough.
When you thought I wasn't looking, by a Child
A message every parent should read, because your
children are watching you and doing as you do,
not as you say...
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my
first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately
wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a
stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind
to animals.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my
favorite cake for me and I learned that little things
can be the special things in life.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say a
prayer, and I knew there is a God I could always talk to
and I learned to trust in God.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a
meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned
that we all have to help take care of each other.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of
your time and money to help people who had nothing and
I learned that those You should give to those who don't.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I felt you kiss
me good night and I felt loved and safe.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take
care of our house and everyone in it and I learned
we have to take care of what we are given.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you
handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't
feel good and I learned that I would have to be responsible
when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come
from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things hurt,
but it's allright to cry.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you
cared and I wanted to be
everything that I could be.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of
life's lessons that I
need to know to be a good and productive person when
I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you
and wanted to say, Thanks for all the things I saw when
you thought I wasn't looking.
Each of us, parent or friend, influence the life of
a child
Humiliation
A child deserves to grow up
In a safe and secure home,
Filled with love and laughter and
Spoken to in kind loving tones.
It is a rude awakening
When a child is subjected to abuse,
By dominating parents
Who have a short temper fuse?
Kicking, slapping
Throwing a child to the ground,
Only encourages fear
Whenever these parents are around.
Harsh punishment creates
Ideas in a child's mind,
That they are strange and stupid because
They are wrong most times.
A child's desperate cries
To be nurtured and respected,
Are overshadowed by parents
Who were once also neglected?
by Crystell Brookes
Emotional Abuse:
attacks a child's emotional development and
sense of self-worth. Emotional abuse includes
excessive, aggressive or unreasonable demands
that place expectations on a child beyond his
or her capacity. Constant criticizing, belittling,
insulting, rejecting and teasing are some of the
forms these verbal attacks can take. Emotional
abuse also includes failure to provide the
psychological nurturing necessary for a child's
psychological growth and development --
providing no love, support or guidance
Sexual Abuse:
or the use of a child for the sexual pleasure of
someone else. This may include exposing private
parts to the child or asking the child to expose
him or herself, fondling of the genitals or
requests for the child to do so, oral sex or
attempts to enter the vagina or anus with fingers,
objects or penis, although actual penetration is
rarely achieved.
Physical Abuse:
beatings, burns, biting, strangulation and scalding
with resulting bruises, welts, broken bones, scars
or serious internal injuries. (National Committee
for the Prevention of Child Abuse) An "abused child",
under the law, means a child less than 18 years of
age whose parent or other person legally responsible
for the child's care inflicts or allows to be inflicted
upon the child physical injury by other than accidental
means which causes or creates substantial risk of death
or serious disfigurement, or impairment of physical health,
or loss or impairment of the function of any bodily organ.
It is also considered "abuse" if such a caretaker creates
or allows to be created situations whereby a child is likely
to be in risk of the dangers mentioned above. (see N.Y.
Social Services Law, Sec.412;Family Court Act, Sec. 1012).
Neglected Abuse:
whose physical, mental or emotional condition has been impaired
or is in danger of becoming impaired as a result of the failure
of the child's legal guardian to exercise a minimum degree of
care in supplying the child with adequate food, clothing, shelter,
or education or medical care. Neglect also occurs when the legal
guardian fails to provide the child with proper supervision or
guardianship by allowing the child to be harmed, or to be at
risk of harm which includes when the guardian misuses drugs
or alcohol him/herself.
Know the Warning Signs, and get Help!
Child Abuse; Who To Call? What to Say?
Victim's name, address or location, approximate age, race and sex;
Physical, mental or behavioral indications that the person is
infirm or disabled; Signs or indications of harm or injury,
including a physical description if possible;
Relationship of the alleged perpetrator to the victim,
if possible. If the relationship is unknown, a report
will still be taken if other reporting criteria are met.
THREE WAYS TO MAKE A REPORT:
TELEPHONE: 1 - 800 - 96ABUSE (1-800-962-2873)
TDD (Telephone Device for the Deaf): 1-800-453-5145
FAX: A written report with your name and contact telephone
or FAX this form (in PDF Format, use Adobe Acrobat to view
and print) to: 1 - 800 - 914 - 0004
VOICE MAIL MESSAGE: When lines are busy and you are unable
to wait, you may leave the report information in the voice
mailbox. It is extremely difficult for hotline counselors
to attempt call-backs so IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT YOU LISTEN
CAREFULLY AND LEAVE COMPLETE INFORMATION AS REQUESTED ABOVE
OR A REPORT MAY NOT BE TAKEN. You have five minutes to leave
the information.
1 - 800 - 770 - 0953
NOTIFICATION OF REPORT:
Telephone reporters will always be told prior
to concluding your conversation, whether the
information provided has been accepted as a report.
For faxed information, notification will be provided
only when additional information is needed to accept
a report, or when the report does not fall within the
jurisdiction of Children and Families. Your fax number
must be clearly indicated on your report. Although you
may request confirmation, you can assume that your report
was accepted if you provided your fax number and receive
no response from the Hotline.
Voice mail messages will not be confirmed unless you leave
a fax number for a response as indicated above. The Hotline
cannot telephone confirmations.
A BEND IN THE ROAD
When we feel we have nothing left to give
and we are sure that the song has ended,
When our day seems over and the shadows fall
and the darkness of night has descended,
Where can we go to find the strength
to valiantly keep on trying?
Where can we find the hand that will dry
the tears that the heart is crying?
There’s but one place to go and that is to God,
and dropping all pretense and pride,
We can pour out our problems without restraint
and gain strength with Him at our side.
And together we stand at life’s crossroads
and view what we think is the end,
But God has a much bigger vision,
and He tells us it’s only a bend,
For the road goes on and is smoother,
and the pause in the song is a rest,
And the part that’s unsung and unfinished
is the sweetest and richest and best.
So rest and relax and grow stronger
let go and let God share your load.
Your work is not finished or ended
you’ve just come to a bend in the road.
Helen Steiner Rice
Children are a gift from our Maker.
We nurture them, hold them, hug them,
Love them and keep them safe. But to
some, these wee ones are no more then an
outlet for anger and it is time we took a
stand, to help save the ones who have no voice.
Please learn the warning signs of child abuse,
and take measures to help, or help prevent it
from happening. Talk to a law enforcement officer,
teacher, a clergy, a health care professional.
Don't stand by and Do Nothing! A child's life depends
upon it! From all of us at TheSpiritWithin, we
sincerely hope these 3 pages have helped in some way
to alert you of the signs of Domestic Abuse.
Help Save The Children!
Love has not part of abuse. Claims of great
love are really claims of great need when there
is abuse. Love doesn't abuse. It protects and
comforts and gives support. Abuse is from
possession of evil - the need to hurt and
destroy. It is a need for a prey - a smaller
prey where domination is secure.
Human need is a net thrown over a thing or a
person to keep them close and subdued. If
escape seems possible the possessor turns
to tears and persuasion as another way of
dominating. But love - love is a deep sacred
trust that runs through the most common
acts, the shared hours, the sweetest and
most trusting touch. It is the miracle of life.
~From the Cherokee Feast of Days~
Children who are abused react in many different ways depending
Please look at these signs well and if you note any of them or
Tips
Children's behavior patterns tend to be fairly consistent except when they go
A child who is normally loving, friendly, and outgoing might exhibit some of
Becomes withdrawn/introverted.
Becomes extremely docile
A child who tends to be more aggressive might exhibit some of these signs.
General guidelines for all children.
Some children will go to someone they trust, a family member, teacher, etc.,
Final points to ponder.
My qualifications for this article are.
Stop the violence now! Make a difference, please!Signs of Child Abuse; Tips for Parents and Teachers
By: Lone Eagle Eye
upon the type of abuse they are suffering. What I write here are
only a few of the signs/indications that a child is being abused.
something similar be wary and suspect a child is possibly being
abused. DO NOT turn away from the child and dismiss the thought
as being ridiculous, or turn away because you fear involvement for
some reason. Even the strongest person within carries these abuses
for life. The abuse may or may not stop when the
child grows up, but the scars within always remain. Some children
will marry into abusive relationships too because abuse is all
they have known in their life and they do not know how to break
free from it. So please, guard the children well. Render aid to
them in any way you can.
through growth stages . . . But even during these growth stages their
behavior patterns do not normally markedly change. If you notice extreme
differences in a child's behavior, most especially differences that have a
rapid onset, be wary and look for the following signs.
these signs.
Cringes when it appears they might be touched by another, even a pat on the
back upsets them.
Cries for no apparent reason.
Sucks their thumb, nervously wrings hands or twiddles with objects when
they have no prior history of doing so.
Uses language like cussing, sexual innuendoes, etc., which they had not
done before.
Tries to hide, become invisible as it were, much of the time. They might
run off to their favorite quiet spot more than ever before . . . hide in a
closet, a darkened corner, under a desk, under their bed.
Become argumentative, angry, and violent.
Shows fear in their eyes. Some children will even appear to have an animal
look of fear like they are caged.
Sudden withdrawal.
Becomes more physical than previously. More fights.
Becomes more argumentative.
Any of the previously stated.
Sudden onset hyperactivity.
Nervous all the time.
Sudden onset of bedwetting.
Sudden onset of no energy, wishing to sleep all the time.
Sudden onset of fearing to go to sleep.
Having bad dreams frequently/often.
Sudden onset of eating disorders. Overeating, undereating.
Wearing inappropriate clothes in hot weather when they have not done so
before. Long sleeves, etc.
Make-up to camouflage.
Bruises visible often. Make sure to watch for the shape, size, etc., so it
might be possible to ascertain if they were beaten and with what.
Burns. Once again try to determine the pattern of the burn.
Complains of pain often.
Sudden excessive use of the bathroom.
Complains of private areas hurting.
Sudden disregard for hygiene.
Touching/fondling one's self and/or trying to do so with others.
and tell them things like . . .
My friend told me about . . . It is necessary to ascertain if they are
truly speaking of a friend's plight or if it is their own.
I've been having bad dreams about . . . Generally monsters or bad people
hurting them. Listen to what they say. What they say may be no dream at all
but reality. To a child being hurt in any way a human can be and is often
times called a monster.
Our police and Child Protective Services are NOT infallible. If you must make
yourself a thorn in their side to aid an abused child then DO SO.
I am a survivor of many varying forms of abuse, including incest. I was
abused as a child and also for most of my adult years. I taught Special
Education and worked with abused children for fifteen years.
Peace, Love, Light, and Harmony,
Lone Eagle Eye ~~~^~~~
Wind-Dream Web Creations
Copyright © 2000
All Rights Reserved
Stop the Abuse NOW!!
Please visit Holli's pages for more information.
Stop the Abuse NOW!!
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