Child Abuse Prevention Month

This is a subject that is very near and dear to my heart.  If you have read this blog for any period of time, you'll know what I went through as a child.  I do not think we are still doing enough to stop child abuse.  It is far too prevalent in our society.

I'm dedicating this blog post to Child Abuse Prevention Month.  It is my attempt in helping those who are suffering in silence and who still suffer in silence.  There are far too many boys and girls, men and women that experience this.

Back in 2010, I was fortunate to be part of one of Oprah's last episodes on 200 Male Survivors.  While it was an opportunity of a life time, I still remember sitting there crying most of the time as I heard the stories of fellow survivors and connected with moments of pain that still reside in my own life.  I can still remember connecting with Tyler Perry's story of abuse where he talked about being beaten so badly.

If you think child abuse stops having an impact when the abuse stops, I've got news for you.  Long after the child abuse ends, the effects are still ravaging the child who goes on to become an adult.  It is like a forest fire that consumes everything in its path.

There is no easy way through it and often it leads to many more difficulties for the victim.  Many child abuse survivors fight like hell to overcome it and their days are not easy.

The best thing we can do is bring to light any instance of child abuse.  When we shine a light on the truth and we demolish the secrets that are being kept, it is then that we will have a fighting chance to stop child abuse.

One myth that gets perpetuated is that child molesters are some scary looking monster hiding in the trees that the child does not know.  Yes, there are these people.  However, the majority of child abusers are known to the child.  They live in their homes, churches, schools, and communities.

It is time that we as a society say this MUST STOP.  It is time as a society that we say, if you are going to abuse our children, you will not be allowed to function freely in our society.

If we are truly intent on stopping child abuse, we would get rid of the statute of limitations for these crimes against humanity.  We would wake up and stop letting child abusers hide in our churches, communities, schools, and homes.

It is up to each one of us, but if you know of someone being abused, don't sit by in silence.  For if you do, you are just as bad as the child molester abusing that child.

If you want to read more about some of what I went through, you can check out my book, Hope And Possibility Through Trauma on Amazon.

#saam2016

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Blog Post And Images (c) 2016 by Don Shetterly

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