Name: Katrina

Teacher: Ms Babb

Grade 7                    

March 3 2012                                

CAMP O  ESSAY

"Child abuse casts a shadow the length of a lifetime," Herbert Ward.  Child abuse comes in two ways, physically and emotionally, including beatings, neglect and sexual assault.  Some children go through these atrocious acts.  Unfortunately these people who abuse their children are usually very angry with themselves or have a serious problem like alcohol or drug abuse.  These people need help but some of them are just too stubborn to realize this.

         Physical abuse is the physical act of abusing someone.  More than 80 % of the abusers are the parents.  Ways of recognizing abuse is looking for these signs, bruises shaped like an object, bruises in unusual places, suspicious fractures and bite size marks.  Often these kids try to hide the signs.  When a teacher or adult asks about the marks the children will make up excuses.  Everyday these poor kids suffer from the torturing of their parent.  This urgently needs to change.

         Emotional abuse is where you are constantly putting someone down or you are neglecting them.  Emotional abuse destroys the confidence of the child.  Ways of recognizing emotional abuse is the child won't care, doesn't eat, overeats, hostile or aggressive, won't take part in any activities and will suffer from depression.  The children's parents neglect them so much that these deprived kids come to school in filthy ill-fitting inappropriate clothing for the weather.  Their hygiene is horrendous and they are usually very bony.  They are usually late or missing school.  These parents don't provide love to their children, they call them worthless and not important.  That lowers their self- esteem.  

         "The best inheritance a parent can give to their children is a few minutes of their time each day." M. Grundler.  These children need to feel loved; they want to know that everything is going to be okay.  90% of child abuse can be prevented.  It is known that abused children will likely abuse their own children or become addicted to drugs or alcohol.  This social injustice needs to end.  Ways to help these children is they could call kids help phone line or talk to an adult or teacher.  The teachers should tell their students that no one not even your parents should abuse you.  The abuser needs to know that children do what children see.

"Abuse changes your life…..Fight Back and change the life of your abusers by Breaking Your Silence of Abuse!" Patty Rase Hopson.  Anyone can do these actions if they know someone who is being abused.  Supporting a friend who is going through this, tell them to tell an adult and don't fight violence with violence, be a good listener and tell them your are there for them. 

         Advice for the abuser: take a deep breath, write down your feelings and realize that you are stressed. 

In conclusion if we all come together to fight abuse through love it will show how much we care.