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 childhelp.org:
- 14% of all men in prison in the USA were abused as children
- 36% of all women in prison were abused as children
- Children who experience child abuse & neglect are 59% more likely to be arrested as a juvenile, 28% more likely to be arrested as an adult, and 30% more likely to commit violent crime.
There are great individuals trying to change this for children world-wide. One such individual, Star, is Southern Regional Director at DREAMCATCHERS FOR ABUSED CHILDREN. According to Star, Dreamcatchers for Abused Children’s mission is to educate the public on child abuse symptoms, intervention, prevention, statistics, reporting, and helping victims locate the proper resources necessary to achieve a full recovery. They enjoyed a significant growth within the last two-years with many top-named sponsors representing us. Last year, Dreamcatchers provided services and resources to the community reaching over 100,000 members; an outstanding record of achievement. Dreamcatchers staff has doubled in an effort to effectively administer new campaigns, as well as manage the organization's growing responsibilities.
Star is a child abuse survivor, Air Force veteran, and graduate of the SCI paralegal program. Star agreed to answer a few questions based on her experience with child abuse and its unfortunate victims.
Q. What is your experience with child abuse?
A. I am a survivor of child sexual abuse and physical. I am [also] the mother of an abused child who was sexually abused from 9 months old to 11 [years].
Q. In your opinion what are the signs to look for in a child you suspect to be abused?
A. In my opinion the behavior, nightmares, bedwetting, self esteem and the reactions to normal life [are important signs to look for].
Q. What is the protocol for reporting child abuse?
A. You report as often as possible to social services and police.
Q. What actions have you personally taken to make others aware of and help prevent child abuse?
A. I inform. I pass on information. I do radio talk show to discuss signs, ways to help, and I volunteer in anything involving children because there are many ways [that] children need help.
Q. What advice do you have for a parent whose child has been victimized?
A. Listen and do not give up. Be patient and develop a trusting relationship based on respect because being there is the most important thing you can do. Fight like the parent we are and do not give up nor stray. Fight for safety and justice because they deserve it. As long as you fight as hard as you can and never give up, it is not yours, nor the child’s, fault. Love, patience and trust will survive all else!
Q. What resources do you recommend for an abused child?
I recommend talking, therapy, and group because if you bury it, it will destroy you. If you work through it, you will destroy its power of you. We all have scars, we must never forget them--but do not allow t them to determine who you are.
Individuals like Star are hard at work to try to make childhood abuse no longer the silent epidemic that haunts us today. This epidemic is growing exponentially. Child abuse will not go away or get any better without awareness, advocacy and lots, and lots of hard work. A big thanks goes out to Star, Elizabeth Brawley, Julie Federico, Anita Wladichuk and others like them. There are individuals, all across the world, who are banding together with great determination and strength to help all the hurting and victimized children. Will you join them?
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