It’s Time to Tell: A Guide to Report Suspected Child Abuse
Trapped in Silence: A Childhood Stolen by Abuse
I was a victim of multiple violent crimes during childhood. I struggled to be heard and it took years before I was rescued and the perpetrator arrested. I was afraid that if I persisted in telling how Ivan, the serial predator, hurt me then I would lose my family or they would be harmed, or I would be further harmed by Ivan and his pedophiliac thugs. For a time, I remained silent, too afraid to get help. After I told him, “no,” on multiple occasions, he resorted to other forms of abuse. I realized this monster who lived in my community did not intend to stop his cruelty on me. I was too young, physically incapable, and unable to stop the abuse that I endured on my own. I needed to be rescued by someone who had the power and authority to stop him. Someone who could open the door that closed me out from safety and a healthy path forward.
I found a friend who encouraged to make a phone call. I found a wonderful therapist who gave me the guidance and confidence to name my perpetrator and take steps forward to stop his abuse.
What is child abuse and why does a child need to be rescued?
Legal Dictionary Network defines “child abuse” as a noun. It includes “the mistreatment or neglect of a child by a parent, guardian, or other caregiver, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.” Furthermore, they describe that, “the crime of abusing children takes place in many forms. Any action, or failure to act, by a parent or caregiver that results in the injury, death, or risk of serious emotional or physical harm to a child is considered abuse.
Child abuse cases are broken down into four primary categories, physical, emotional, sexual, and neglect.” Abuse injures, damages, interferes, disturbs, and interrupts, the right of children’s natural safety, permanency, and well-being according to our countri’s laws. And even more assuring is the unchangeable and tangible truth that children are created by God and given as a gift to our parents from God. Psalm 27: 1-3, Children are a gift from the Lord; babies are a reward.
What to do if you suspect Child Abuse
In this blog I will refer you to the organization, RAINN. This is a superb resource to answer many of your questions and guide you if you suspect someone you know is being abused and not limited to sexual abuse. My focus is on child abuse.
Have you and/or a family member or someone you know, been abused, harmed, hurt, and rendered helpless in a sexually forced circumstance –either in the past or currently? Do you suspect or have you witnessed or been told by a sister or brother, friend, neighbor, classmate, someone you’ve road the school bus or city bus with, someone you are in an afterschool program with or kids program, scout program, day care, sports team, someone you work with, music lesson, or tutoring sessions? Any circumstance where a child is being harmed by a person who has physical and mental power over that child and causing harm and distress in various ways to that child, is a cruel crime, and against the law.
Even if you have not seen the abuse with your own eyes, if you suspect you have the right to report it. Anywhere in the nation, help is available,
Anyone who suspects that a child is being abused or neglected should file a report with a local or state agency. Child abuse laws usually specify that the harm must be the result of non-accidental acts or omissions, though careless acts of negligence may also be considered child abuse.
Get instructions that will guide you to making that phone call. Children are worth rescuing.
If you need immediate emergency help, Call 911.
There is hope to get help. Be brave. Report child abuse.
Nationwide Services Resource
Sexual Assault RAINN Hotline or Call 800.656.4673
Retain free services here.
Child Maltreatment Report 2023 Resource
Additional Resources:
Resources listed on my Alligator in the Ocean Resources Page
Who are children in the expanse of creation?
Help is available, learn more about different hotlines that can be a resource.
Hope and Healing Are Within Reach
We live in an age where there is an abundance of help available for those who are hurting. Persevere in your phone calls, and your cries for help. Don’t stop calling and asking for help. There is a journey ahead of you. Getting help and healing takes time and effort. Reach for the truth about what your experiencing and step forward away from the abuse and toward a healthier life.
Come to Me All of You Who Are Weary
At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
This blog is for informational purposes only. Anina Swan LLC Blog makes no warranties, expressed, implied or statutory as to the information in this post.