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The immediate and long
term effects of child abuse and neglect are overwhelming, we must put a stop to
this at all costs. There are numerous studies and examples available from
credible sources that point out the crippling effects of child abuse and
neglect. Children that suffer abuse and/or neglect often times grow up and
continue the cycle; it is very difficult to break the chains of abuse once it
starts. Abused and neglected children often times continue to suffer throughout
their lives because of the psychological effects the abuse takes on their body,
mind and soul. Long term outcomes of child abuse and neglect are homelessness
and mental illness which lead to poor overall health and premature death. Children
are vulnerable, helpless and reliant upon parents to provide and shelter them
from the evils of this world; they deserve the opportunity to grow up happy and
healthy so that they can contribute to society in a productive manner. No child
should ever be abused or neglected and our society needs to step up and fight
this horrible problem.
Companion: You don’t think you could ever really do anything about it,
do you?
My Response: I absolutely
do! One child at a time, even if means we just try and help all of the broken
children it is better than doing nothing. We can provide the resources and
support to help them get strong and break the chains that bind them.
Companion: How will you be able to keep it together seeing all these
abused kids? You are going to make yourself depressed.
My Response: You raise a
very valid question; it will be tough that is undeniable. But, sometimes we
need to sacrifice parts of ourselves so that others may live. I am willing to
trade parts of who I am if means that they have a chance to live a happy and healthy
life, that sounds fair to me. Obviously, this type of work is not for everyone,
but we need to increase the number of people who are willing to help. I believe
that the loving relationships we can help build will fill the voids created by
our sacrifice.
Companion: There will always be abused and neglected children, you
can’t help them all.
My Response: Sure, but to
do nothing is not an option. Someone needs to be the voice for these
children. How can we in good conscience
not directly or indirectly help this cause that would be pure madness.
Reflect
The Problem: Child abuse
and neglect
What Should Be Done?
Funded by Federal, State and
Local Government we need to mobilize a new team of law enforcement agents that
specialize in nothing but the prevention of child abuse and neglect. This
effort would be launched specifically targeting the problem at the local level with
agents present in each city throughout the country. In addition, individuals
would be incentivized on multiple levels to turn in (providing evidence) anyone
who they know of that is abusing a child in their area. The incentives would be creative, for example the
Good Samaritan who turns someone in could use their reward to sponsor the
abused child. Working in conjunction with the child abuse prevention agents
would be a local agency focused only on tracking the movements of children in
the community, especially high risk children. Their function would be to make
sure that children are receiving the education, food, shelter and medical
attention that they need to be productive. This agency would have the means to
provide individuals in need a permanent place to live, and the resources to
improve their lives, multifaceted assistance would be available for as long as
required. Currently we have outdated and underfunded agencies trying to tackle
this problem. We need to “drill down” on this problem at the local level and
better fund this mission. We need to have a greater presence in every community
sending a clear message that child abuse and neglect will not be tolerated.
Punishment for violators will be swift and severe with children never going
back to abusive family members.
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