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April 30, 2008 12:40 am
Children who suffer in silence need our voices
Editorial: Speak up!
CNHI News Service
— Let’s face it. We don’t like to become involved in thorny situations.
We keep quiet because we don’t want to engage ourselves in “somebody else’s business.”
Well, when somebody else’s business involves child abuse or neglect, we all need to find a voice and speak up.
All the time.
Even as you are reading this, a child somewhere in your neighborhood may be crying alone, bullied into silence by an abusive adult.
That child may have to go to school today and lie about the bruises or the broken bone. That child may never be able to tell anyone about the emotional and physical pain that’s part of his or her daily life.
We have to become a voice for that child and all the others condemned to silence.
If we know about or even suspect child abuse and neglect, it is our moral obligation to report it, and reporting can be done anonymously.
We may hesitate to report suspicions about a co-worker, friend, neighbor or family member, but it’s vitally important to do so. Investigators are trained to root out rumors and false allegations. If we turn out to be wrong, great. If we turn out to be right, we may have saved a child’s life.
If a child we know seems to be fearful and wary of adults, we need to make a call on their behalf. Unexplained bruises, cuts, burns and emotional distress are reason enough to motivate us to report suspected abuse or neglect.
We’re adults. We can fend for ourselves. Children can’t. Sexual predators feed on the helplessness of children. We need to be concerned enough about a child’s welfare to lend our voice to defend them.
Agencies that provide services and shelter for abused children need our help. We need to support fundraisers, make donations throughout the year and volunteer time and energy to help them help children.
We need to urge lawmakers to impose the strongest possible penalties against those convicted of abuse. However, if we don’t take the first step and make law enforcement agencies aware the crime may be occurring, the child abuser will never be identified and brought to justice.
The worst case scenario? The child could die or grow up to repeat the cycle of abuse.
Speak up against one of the most unspeakable crimes in the world — child abuse. Call 1-800-CHILDREN.
The Register-Herald, Beckley, W.V.
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