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.
There are great individuals trying to change this for children world-wide. One such individual, Elizabeth Brawley, calls herself a survivor, thriver, advocate and voice for the underdog. Elizabeth is a child abuse survivor who volunteers with Dreamcatchers for abused children and helps with their blog talk radio newscasts. Liz also supports BACA, and stand united to help protect children from abuse. In additon, Liz volunteers what is left of her time at CYIM (Can You Identify Me) where she tirelessly works to bring deserved dignity to those who are temporarily without their names.
Elizabeth 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 since very young beginning with my father, then by the hands of so many others, gang rape at age 14, molested by an adult church member at age 16 (not clergy), raped at age seventeen…
Q. In your opinion what are the signs to look for in a child you suspect to be abused?
A. The signs can sometimes vary from child to child however there are common Red Flags to look for:
A) Child exhibits fear or anxiety around a certain person or people
B) Drastic change in behavior or activity – this can be at school, home or anywhere.
C) Knowledge of sex or sexual terms beyond their age level
D) Depression
E) Acting out sexually with inanimate objects
F) Inappropriate behavior with another child (sexual) and there is a big age difference (What was taught to them they may try on another not realizing/understanding/comprehending what they are doing is wrong)
G) A child's artwork speaks volumes. What they are unable to say is processed via their artwork and also through play. Watch for clues. Has your child's drawings changed drastically? Are they of scary things? Ask your child to tell you about what is going on in the picture? Listen to what they are saying and how they are saying it. Watch your child at play. Has her/his play changed? Become violent in expression or sullen?
H) Has your child begun having nightmares when previously she/he was sleeping well?
I) A child may exhibit Regressive behavior. If your child was potty trained they may return to bedwetting, wetting their pants and even thumb-sucking.
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Q. What is the protocol for reporting child abuse?
A. Actively listen when a child tells you directly about abuse. It is vital you do not ask leading questions or you could contaminate the report! If a child has not directly disclosed abuse and you suspect abuse…REPORT IT! Do NOT wait for proof! A report can be made in good faith. Your call just might be the one to save the child's life.
Q. What actions have you personally taken to make others aware of and help prevent child abuse?
A. I began with sharing small pieces of my story on an online forum where I felt safe then slowly began sharing with people in the public here and there. I began sharing posts and information on child abuse Education and Prevention. I shared my voice with over a dozen other courageous survivors including two men on a CD called Voices of Strength. Sadly it is no longer available. I have been writing poetry for years from my healing journey and will continue to speak out and share. I am also working on my book.
I co-host on a child abuse awareness online radio show. I have had poetry published in a literary magazine twice in the USA and once in Australia in a Survivor's poetry book. I have been blessed with Divine appointments with a couple of special young ones who had been sexually assaulted.
I will continue to share until my last breathe. We grow stronger each time we share our stories. At some point in our healing journey we are able to reach out our hand to another in the void lifting them into the light.
Q. What advice do you have for a parent whose child has been victimized?
A. Our children take our cues from us. Be focused – Remain as calm as you can with her/him. YOU are your child's Best Advocate. They look to you for protection, guidance and answers. Keep lines of communication open. It is perfectly ok to not know everything. Let them know if you do not know an answer to their question.
I say, “I don't know the answer to that but we can find it out together.”
Q. What resources do you recommend for an abused child?
A. The therapy styles would vary depending on each child and their own experience and needs. Some do well in groups, some better in individual therapy. Books are fantastic for working through some issues – as long as they are used in conjunction with the therapist/counselor.
Horse therapy and other animals are available now to help children and I think that is awesome. Animals are wonderful healers, intelligent and understand far more than many give them credit for.
Books, Personally I love [Why Did This Happen to Me, Aunt Lou?] and look forward to the [Aunt Lou book] series. I believe they will be an incredibly helpful tool for children healing from trauma. I would love to see them on shelves everywhere.
Same for Julie Federico's “SOME PARTS are NOT for SHARING”
Individuals like Elizabeth are hard at work trying to make childhood abuse no longer the silent epidemic that haunts us today. 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 Elizabeth Brawley, 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.
