“I’m 25 years old, and to this day, I am frozen whenever I step outside. I am vulnerable, and fear that one day, whether I like it or not, my past is going to catch up with me. My past being namely my parents who abused my brother and I from back when I was three. It’s been five years since we finally escaped from them and there doesn’t yet seem to be enough distance between what my life was and what it is today. My parents would burn us, choke us, threaten us with knives, beat us (usually with a belt or hit us in the face. I have hearing problems and suffer from memory loss because of them). They would keep us from sleeping and threaten to kill us and our pets. This is far from normal behavior!
To all the teachers, guidance counselors, psychologists, and the like, grandparents, relatives and neighbors: If you know a child is suffering at the hands of a parent, don’t brush it off. Don’t stay silent because of what others will think. Don’t think it’s the child’s fault. I wish someone had helped me instead of telling me that I needed to be stronger. Instead of telling me it was my fault.
Please don’t overlook abuse. If you’re confronted with a child that can’t concentrate, who begs you to help them, I hope you make the right call. If you don’t you’re condemning them even long after the abuse has ended.”
-by Theresa
Hard to read, but this is a reality.
Hard to read, but this is a reality.Help us keep our keiki safe!
Please support the prevention of child abuse and neglect.(click on the link to donate now through January 12, 2014)All proceeds stay in Hawaii, and 100% of your donation will go towards the prevention of child abuse and neglect here in our islands.
Ka'u Rural Health Community Association, Inc. 