Children across the nation are suffering from a troubling, and growing, epidemic—child abuse. This Examiner can speak first-hand to the horrors that are taking place across our nation and our world. I am a survivor of 11 years of incestual molestation at the hand of a distant family member. It is important for people to know that abuse can present itself in numerous different ways—no two cases are identical. A child could be emotionally, physically, sexually abused, or some combination of the three. Here in Waco, Texas we have great organizations like Arrow Child and Family Ministries, The Advocacy Center at 2323 Columbus Avenue, and the Crimes against Children department of the Waco PD to help deal with our local cases.
According to http://www.childhelp.org:
- A report of child abuse is made every ten seconds.
- Almost five children die every day as a result of child abuse. More than three out of four are under the age of 4.
- It is estimated that between 60-85% of child fatalities due to maltreatment are not recorded as such on death certificates.
- 90% of child sexual abuse victims know the perpetrator in some way; 68% are abused by family members.
- Child abuse occurs at every socioeconomic level, across ethnic and cultural lines, within all religions and at all levels of education.
- 31% percent of women in prison in the United States were abused as children.
- Over 60% of people in drug rehabilitation centers report being abused or neglected as a child.
- About 30% of abused and neglected children will later abuse their own children, continuing the horrible cycle of abuse.
- About 80% of 21 year old that were abused as children met criteria for at least one psychological disorder.
- The estimated annual cost of child abuse and neglect in the United States for 2007 is $104 billion.
Sometimes it is very difficult for a non-abused person to spot the warning signs and know where to turn to get a child the help that they vry much need. Author Julie Federico is a fellow child rights advocate and author. Julie spent 15 years as a middle school counselor listening to the horrific stories of our nation’s children. According to Julie, “most of the abuse happened to the children I worked with before they were 8. Mom’s boyfriend was by far and away the most frequent perpetrator”. Julie now works as a child abuse prevention advocate, and she thinks that her new line of work “is is so much more fun than remediation work”.
Julie agreed to take some time to share some of her knowledge about child abuse, awareness and prevention.
Q. In your opinion what are the signs to look for in a child you suspect to be abused?
A. I think the biggest sign is the child’s behavior when you inform them that they will be spending time with _____. Pay careful attention to your child’s resistance to certain adults. They usually will protest in some fashion. It is another matter if the adults in the child’s life will read the call for help in the child’s coded message. Another big factor is acting out sexually what has been done to them. If you see an older sibling acting sexual with another sibling or friend I think the damage has already been done to the child. They are acting out situations that have been done to them.
Q. What is the protocol for reporting child abuse?
A. At school, if a child had any physical evidence or marks on them, I would call the police. They would send an officer out with a camera to document the injury. If there was no physical evidence I would call social services. I was only required to call when I suspected abuse. I did not need proof to call. I think this is important. Many adults don’t want to call because they are not 100% positive the child in question is being harmed. I think if you suspect harm there is more than likely something going on with the family.
Q. What actions have you personally taken to make others aware of and help prevent child abuse?
A. I have written a children’s book on child abuse prevention Some Parts are Not for Sharing is for children ages 0-7 years, I posted the entire book for free on my website to try and educate every child. I advocate for children constantly by posting to facebook, and I ask parents to read Some Parts are Not for Sharing to their children. I am working on getting an Erin’s Law passed here in Colorado that Erin Merryn just passed in Illinois. I am currently looking for child advocates in Colorado if anyone is interested in helping. I speak publicly to different groups on child abuse prevention and what parents can do to protect their children. I could go on and on. This is my life calling now. I am on a mission to end childhood sexual abuse. I am saving lives one book at a time. I am not doing this alone but with the help of people like Rachel Stolle who wrote this article.
Q. What advice do you have for a parent whose child has been victimized?
A. This may sound like strange advice coming from someone who is so vocal about child abuse. But be very careful of who you choose to share this information with. There is still a huge stigma in our culture to blame the victim. Rape is the only crime committed where in court lawyers will ask, “What was the victim wearing?” If your house burns down or you are a victim of a drive by shooting no one EVER asks what you were wearing! Secondly get help from a trained professional. Even very young children can benefit from play therapy. The worst thing a parent can do after their child has been victimized is to do nothing. As uncomfortable as it is to talk about--talk about it. Don’t rush to have everything back to normal. Once a child has been victimized they are at risk for a second and third victimization unless there is intervention.
Q. What resources do you recommend for an abused child?
A. Why Did This Happen to Me, Aunt Lou? By Rachel Jeanette Hall Stolle
I Said No! A kid-to-kid guide to keeping your private parts private By Kimberly King Perfect
Your Body Belongs to You By Cornelia Maude Spelman
Forgiving The Monsters ByHannah Grace
Some parts are Not for Sharing By Julie Federico
I also recomend Dolphin Locations that are specific to dolphin therapy locations or dolphin assisted therapy. Dolphin therapy has been used as one avenue to help children who were abused.
This epidemic is growing exponentially. Child abuse will not go away without awareness, advocacy and lots, and lots of hard work. A big thanks goes out to Julie Federico, Anita Wladichuk and others like them across the world who are banding together with great determination and strength to help all the hurting and victimized children.
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