First of all allow me to introduce myself. My name is Ronda White and I am a 17 year old junior at South Johnston High School. Some of you may find this odd for me to be writing this letter but before you pose judgment please completely read it.
Over the years I have become very passionate about finding a way to prevent child abuse. I’ve slowly learned that there really is only two ways in doing so. The first one is making the public AWARE. The second is to create a place where overwhelmed or stressed caregivers can bring children to be looked after until they are capable of doing so themselves. Let me explain the benefits of these two options.
Awareness: If the public becomes more aware then suspicions can be reported and investigated much sooner. Safe places: A safe place where a stressed parent can take their child could help by giving that parent a needed break. If the parents can get a break when they become overwhelmed or stressed then they would be less likely to take out their frustrations on their child which results in saving a child from being abused.
I feel like if I’m going to talk to you about child abuse then I should provide you with some facts as well.
• Child abuse is defined as the physical injury or maltreatment of a child under the age of eighteen by a person who is responsible for the child’s welfare under circumstances which indicate that the child’s health or welfare is harmed or threatened (Newton).
• Signs of physical abuse are bruises, welts, internal injuries, and human bite marks. Signs or sexual abuse are torn, bloody or stained undergarments, pain or itching in the genital area, bleeding or bruising in the genital area and sexually transmitted disease. (Nadelson)
• Most abused children are likely to develop some mental health problems like Antisocial Personality Disorder, Mood Disorders, Dissociative Identity Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress disorder. (Nadelson)
• In 2005, 30,000 children were reported abused or neglected. Out of that number nearly 9000 cases were substantiated or indicated as abuse; 2% suffered physical abuse, 46.6% neglect, 1.4% medical neglect, 11.5% sexual abuse, 5% psychological maltreatment and 18% other or unknown. (“ The numbers are alarming and growing”)
These are just a few facts and statistics. So the complete reasoning behind this message wasn’t just to get you attention but to tell you that I believe the citizens of Johnston and even Harnett County can make a difference in the history of child abuse prevention. We should open a place for these kids to be safe and feel loved. I’m not sure how to go about getting a place started like this which is why I’m writing so we all can do this together as a community. This won’t just change lives but it may in fact save lives and if we can just save one child then we were successful. We should really just come together and help me find away to end child abuse. In closing I would like to thank whoever reads this your time is greatly appreciated. I pray you will take this to heart and take a stand to save a child better yet to say our future. If you have any ideals on how to get this going please contact me or if you would just like to comment feel free to write me. The address is 1302 Chicopee Rd lot 109 Benson NC 27504.
Sincerely,
Ronda White
This is basically an editorial I submitted to my local paper and it is going to be published next week. I would like to know your opinions. It is about child abuse and possible solutions or prevention steps. Thanks.
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