Children Are People In Need Of Support, Too…

Tracey E. Russell

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month but unfortunately there isn’t a safe month or day for our precious gems. Almost everyday in any state in our wonderful USA we hear of stories of children being dramatically harmed at the hands of adults. They are being smothered, shaken, driven into the river, burned, mutilated, verbally assaulted, and the like but our actions are seemingly too mum.

It’s time to do something other than to just rally and walk. Yes, the printed website stories are a wonderful read. But it’s time to enforce parenting classes for persons with emotional, mental, and sometimes psychological issues and instill barriers between the perpetrator and victim who may be at the explosion phase. There once was a time when people would make the neighborhood problems their own concern. We need to emphasize therapy for individuals with stress that can cause a personal implosion or even temporarily remove children in danger of volatile issues. To force a permanent separation of a parent from a child would be wrong. To state he/she wouldn’t do any harm, is even more wrong. No one is perfect, but we have to begin teaching coping skills (for adults) as well as age appropriate expectations (for children). For many years, therapy has held a negative stigma and quickly associated with being “crazy” within most communities. But no one is seemingly impermeable from causing the devastation we are hearing on a daily, repetitive basis. Parenting classes don’t mean one isn’t capable of loving the child. But it’s a possible means of helping adults understand the versatility that exists within the adult-child dynamic.

The unspoken reality is that even those who typically don’t normally verbally express their thoughts publicly are eager to express conce
as there is a tremendous fear for the innocent children (precious gems). Yet, it’s a scary surreal reality that in 2011 our children are dying faster and faster at the hands of adults, even their own parents!! So, what can we do as outsiders? If we know someone who is having a lot of stress and may or may not be voicing a lot of negativity; or someone who recently broke up with a mate and sounds as if he/she may harm themselves; or is unfortunately confused about the timing of his/her child in terms of milestones? Do something, for to do nothing and know; you have to endure your own personal blame (responsibility) for your lack of actions…

ï Report the problem to a mutual friend/neighborrnï Speak with their family if possiblernï Report your concerns to your pastor/parishionerrnï Call your local DHS or DSS (not with allegations but your concerns) ï Speak with the school if your child/ren assimilate with his/her kidsrnï Definitely tell if your have proof; you will only regret it if you don’t; an unreported story could potentially end up being a front page report of the next dayrnï Family members should step up---if you see signs of concern, visit more; offer help; listen for triggers of a breakdown; and observe the communication between the parties

Child abuse at its core is so much deeper than those forbidden scars that are visible only underneath that long-sleeved shirt worn during the summer. Likewise, for a child who once was talkative but has recently become extremely withdrawn; for no outwardly appearing reason, lest we turn our heads. The emotional and mental agony that goes along with the ramifications of a child being victimized is the responsibility of the entire family and community. These issues are grave regardless if it ends in his/her death or not.