This is the third and the last blog post featuring this subject. WHY DON'T THE LITTLE CHILDREN TELL? The first blog post mentioned the valid reasons why children do not tell when they are abused AND the second blog post focused on the signs and symptoms of abused children, physically and sexually! This blog post will focus on RISK FACTORS, and WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP!
One thing I have noticed is that society has really, really changed. The neighbors were allowed to discipline the neighborhood children with their best interest at heart. They would not abuse the children BUT would properly discipline them. Family would get involved in the rearing and the mind set of a child/children. The family would steer the child in the direction that he or she should go. That does not happen much now and days. THINGS HAVE CHANGED, TIMES HAVE CHANGED, and PEOPLE ARE DIFFERENT.
At one time people were very vocal in expressing their dislikes. Not only would they express their dislikes, they would be active in changing them. Their eyes would be wide open to what was going on. They would pay close attention to their community surroundings! Some would even muster up the COURAGE to do something about it on a GRAND scale.
For various reason, people are afraid to STEP UP when they hear and see atrocities. Maybe it is the fear of retaliation, or the fear of being an outcast especially if FAMILY is involved. People may be prone to taking out their phone cameras and video cameras and, recording the actions and then posting them on social media like FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, TWITTER and others. In some cases this has been beneficial but in other cases NOT SO MUCH! WHAT CAN WE DO? HOW CAN WE PLAY A PART? HOW CAN WE HELP?
THERE ARE RISK FACTORS CONCERNING CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT!
While child abuse and neglect happens in all types of families, children are at greater risk in certain situations. Here are some:
(1) Domestic Violence. When a child witnesses domestic violence, it can be extremely terrifying and emotionally devastating. Even if the mother does her best to protect the child/children, it is emotionally abusive. If you or a loved one is in an abusive relationship, getting help and getting out is the best way to protect all that is involved, especially the child/children.
(2) Alcohol and Drug Abuse. Living with a person who has a drinking problem is no playground. Being around an alcoholic or addict is very hard for children and can easily lead to abuse and neglect. Parents who are drunk or high have warped minds and are unable to care for their children properly. Substance abuse can also lead to physical abuse.
(3)
Untreated Mental Illness. Parents who suffer from illnesses like depression, an anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, or another mental illness often have trouble taking care of themselves, nevertheless their children. A mentally ill parent may be distant and withdrawn from his or her children, or may flip off the handle with anger without understanding why. Treatment for the caregiver/parent means better care for all involved, especially the children.
(4)
Lack of Parenting Skills. Some caregivers/parents may have not learned the proper skills in order to be an effective parent. Some may have unrealistic expectations about how much care their children really need, or parents who have been victimized as a child may only know how to raise their children the way they were raised. Parenting classes, therapy, and caregiver support groups are wonderful resources for maximizing parental skills.
(5)
Stress and Lack of Support. Parenting can be a very time-consuming, difficult job, especially if you’re raising children without support from anyone or if you’re dealing with relationship or financial difficulties. Caring for a child that has a disability, special needs, or behavior problems is also challenging. It’s extremely important to get the help and support that you need, so you that you can be emotionally and physically supportive to your child.
HOW CAN YOU HELP? You can provide support in any way possible. It can be physical support, mental support, spiritual support or even monetary support. A child in an abusive situation can use all the support he or she can get!
SAY SOMETHING! Open your mouth and let the words flow. Too often people may know or have information that is detrimental and beneficial to ones LIFE AND WELL BEING BUT may never share it. Please share any information pertaining to the abuse of a CHILD in any way! Tell a parent, a neighbor, a friend, a Police Officer, a relative, a counselor, a therapist, a doctor, CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES, the authorities. PLEASE, PLEASE TELL SOMEONE!
If you would like further information on this subject, please check out these references: WWW.HELPGUIDE.ORG, WWW.JOYFULHEARTFOUNDATION.ORG, WWW.WEBMD.COM,WWW.MAYOCLINIC.ORG, WWW.PSYCHOLOGY.ORG, and WWW.PSYCHIATRICTIMES.COM
I pray that my series of blog post concerning child abuse have been educational and helpful. If you NEED to report child abuse, you can do this anonymously! PLEASE CALL 1800-422-4453 or go to WWW.CHILDHELP.ORG or call CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES or YOUR LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT. Please help a child in NEED! PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, LIKE, COMMENT AND SHARE! Until next time, BE LOVING, BE CARING, BE KIND AND BE SAFE!
One thing I have noticed is that society has really, really changed. The neighbors were allowed to discipline the neighborhood children with their best interest at heart. They would not abuse the children BUT would properly discipline them. Family would get involved in the rearing and the mind set of a child/children. The family would steer the child in the direction that he or she should go. That does not happen much now and days. THINGS HAVE CHANGED, TIMES HAVE CHANGED, and PEOPLE ARE DIFFERENT.
At one time people were very vocal in expressing their dislikes. Not only would they express their dislikes, they would be active in changing them. Their eyes would be wide open to what was going on. They would pay close attention to their community surroundings! Some would even muster up the COURAGE to do something about it on a GRAND scale.
For various reason, people are afraid to STEP UP when they hear and see atrocities. Maybe it is the fear of retaliation, or the fear of being an outcast especially if FAMILY is involved. People may be prone to taking out their phone cameras and video cameras and, recording the actions and then posting them on social media like FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, TWITTER and others. In some cases this has been beneficial but in other cases NOT SO MUCH! WHAT CAN WE DO? HOW CAN WE PLAY A PART? HOW CAN WE HELP?
THERE ARE RISK FACTORS CONCERNING CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT!
While child abuse and neglect happens in all types of families, children are at greater risk in certain situations. Here are some:
(1) Domestic Violence. When a child witnesses domestic violence, it can be extremely terrifying and emotionally devastating. Even if the mother does her best to protect the child/children, it is emotionally abusive. If you or a loved one is in an abusive relationship, getting help and getting out is the best way to protect all that is involved, especially the child/children.
(2) Alcohol and Drug Abuse. Living with a person who has a drinking problem is no playground. Being around an alcoholic or addict is very hard for children and can easily lead to abuse and neglect. Parents who are drunk or high have warped minds and are unable to care for their children properly. Substance abuse can also lead to physical abuse.
(3) Untreated Mental Illness. Parents who suffer from illnesses like depression, an anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, or another mental illness often have trouble taking care of themselves, nevertheless their children. A mentally ill parent may be distant and withdrawn from his or her children, or may flip off the handle with anger without understanding why. Treatment for the caregiver/parent means better care for all involved, especially the children.
(4) Lack of Parenting Skills. Some caregivers/parents may have not learned the proper skills in order to be an effective parent. Some may have unrealistic expectations about how much care their children really need, or parents who have been victimized as a child may only know how to raise their children the way they were raised. Parenting classes, therapy, and caregiver support groups are wonderful resources for maximizing parental skills.
(5) Stress and Lack of Support. Parenting can be a very time-consuming, difficult job, especially if you’re raising children without support from anyone or if you’re dealing with relationship or financial difficulties. Caring for a child that has a disability, special needs, or behavior problems is also challenging. It’s extremely important to get the help and support that you need, so you that you can be emotionally and physically supportive to your child.
HOW CAN YOU HELP? You can provide support in any way possible. It can be physical support, mental support, spiritual support or even monetary support. A child in an abusive situation can use all the support he or she can get! SAY SOMETHING! Open your mouth and let the words flow. Too often people may know or have information that is detrimental and beneficial to ones LIFE AND WELL BEING BUT may never share it. Please share any information pertaining to the abuse of a CHILD in any way! Tell a parent, a neighbor, a friend, a Police Officer, a relative, a counselor, a therapist, a doctor, CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES, the authorities. PLEASE, PLEASE TELL SOMEONE!
If you would like further information on this subject, please check out these references: WWW.HELPGUIDE.ORG, WWW.JOYFULHEARTFOUNDATION.ORG, WWW.WEBMD.COM,WWW.MAYOCLINIC.ORG, WWW.PSYCHOLOGY.ORG, and WWW.PSYCHIATRICTIMES.COM
I pray that my series of blog post concerning child abuse have been educational and helpful. If you NEED to report child abuse, you can do this anonymously! PLEASE CALL 1800-422-4453 or go to WWW.CHILDHELP.ORG or call CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES or YOUR LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT. Please help a child in NEED! PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, LIKE, COMMENT AND SHARE! Until next time, BE LOVING, BE CARING, BE KIND AND BE SAFE!
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