Why are we willing to bury our head in the sand, instead of blowing a whistle?

Recently there’s been national press related to a Texas Judge who beat his daughter with a belt for seven minutes (you can watch it on Youtube), and now Penn State is front line and center with a child abuse scandal, involving Sandusky and key decision makers of the University.  It’s amazing that both cases have taken years, before they’ve become public, but more importantly why don’t humans in this country have the courage or feel a moral obligation to come forward and report these occurrence to the police or the appropriate authorities (Department of Public Welfare or Child Protective Services) when the abuse of a child is apparent.

12.5 million children in this country will experience sexual abuse before they are 18, and the numbers of abuse cases are only growing.  1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys report sexual abuse, but all institutions working with child abuse prevention and intervention believe the numbers are much greater, because many children have too much shame and fear to report their experiences.

When are Americans going to say, “enough is enough”, and put an end to this madness?  These were innocent victims who will live with an emotional scare the remainder of their lives.   Look at the statistics, the numbers don’t lie, and unless we start to prevent these occurrences, the numbers will only escalate.

When you sit down tonight and look at your children, remember they’re at risk.   Instead of thinking this will never happen to your child or children, take the first step and start to educate yourself and your children about child abuse and prevention.  With everyone sticking their heads in the sand, because the topic is too grave or horrible, the only thing they’ll ultimately see is darkness.

Check out the following link to read more about signs of child abuse and prevention.  Click here.

 

Terry O’Neal

President