August 19 (Day 172) Love Our Children USA

AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!!!! My head is about to explode! What is going on - I cannot understand this! The mother who slapped her crying infant on the airplane - the South Carolina mom who killed her 2 babies and then pushed her car in the water to make it appear as if the children died in an accident. The sad recent headlines have caused me to change my post for today.

We have all seen this scene played out too many times before. I understand that people feel overwhelmed. I understand that desperation is real... I just don't understand harming your child. I have 2 children and I can't imagine doing anything to intentionally harm them. Today I have chosen to highlight a charity that is working to make a difference in the lives of many children and parents.

In the USA, Children are more apt to die from abuse than from accidents. Each year 18,000 children and youth are permanently disabled and 565,000 are seriously injured. Child abuse kills more than 3 children every day in America.

Love Our Children USA was founded on a promise to America's children to keep them safe. Our commitment is to break the cycle of violence against children. Empowering the public with knowledge … giving children and youth a voice by speaking for them… advocating for their safety and taking their message to the media and to our communities … a liaison between those with no power and those with power. Practicing safe and positive parenting in every home … every school ... every community across America ... for all children ... creating successful families. Getting to the root of the cause of child violence ... and breaking the cycle — before it starts. And by doing this we can stop domestic violence which begins with the victimization of children.

WHY LOVE OUR CHILDREN USA?

• Because each year over 3 million children are victimized and neglected and those are only the ones that are reported! The actual number of child victims is estimated to be three times greater.
• Because each year almost 1.8 million children are reported missing – many of them abducted from their own homes and front yards.
• Because over 580,000 children in this country live in foster care.
• Because 1 out of 7 kids and teens are approached by online predators every day.
• Because 1 out of 4 kids are bullied
• Because 42% of kids have been bullied online  

When children are victimized, neglected and abandoned they suffer in various ways … ways that only they know in their private world of pain. They often have poor self-esteem and self-worth, are often out of control. They feel violated, victimized and damaged. They feel guilt, humiliation and shame. They feel unloved.

And what are the long-term effects of being victimized, neglected and abandoned? Best case … an abused child's foundation is undermined! Worst case … A child dies! Children who are victimized, neglected and abandoned are likelier to become:

• School dropouts
• Runaways
• Pregnant teenagers
• Substance abusers
• Gun Users
• Juvenile delinquents
• Adult criminals
• Violent
• Unemployable
• Argumentative
• Out of control
• Prostitutes
• Low Achievers
• Abusers to partners, spouses and children - and the circle of violence continues.

Violence against children only ends when a child comes forward or a concerned person recognizes the warning signs and reports the abuse. Sometimes, people may fear getting personally involved or they may be in denial of a child they know who is being hurt. Making a call to the hotline where the child is being harmed can generate help a family needs but is unable to seek. Child violence is a problem on the national and local levels that requires action in the form of caring individuals in each community.   

Children are our dreams and hopes. They will reflect their childhood as an adult. They are never at fault for the violence that adults inflict upon them. You can help replace the hate, hurt and fear of a child victim with love, understanding and security by taking an active role. A person’s actions, or lack of action, not only affects the abused child, but everyone in our country. Even if you just suspect abuse … Report it!  

Please, if you have issues with anger or violence against your spouse or children, talk to someone and get some help. There is help out there for you. Or, if you suspect Child Abuse or Domestic Violence, or you know a victim of abuse who lives with the pain of their terror … Please make that call! You may be saving a life and at the very least saving someone from the pain and terror of being abused!

Click here for a list of National 24 hour toll free help line numbers.

Get Involved:

Donate to Love Our Children USA.

Shop Love Our Children USA online store.

Other ways to get involved.

Source: Love Our Children USA

April 7 (Day 38) National Day of Hope

Let me start this posting off a little differently than usual.  If you are reading this and you or someone you know is being abused.  Help is available...

Please call the National Child Abuse Hotline  1-800-4-A-CHILD

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and the first Wednesday of April is designated as "A National Day of Hope."
On this day we ask all Americans to keep victims of abuse and neglect in their thoughts and prayers, to seek to break the cycle of child abuse and neglect, and to give victimized children hope for the future. This is also a day when the faith community, nonprofit organizations and volunteers across America should recommit themselves and mobilize their resources to assist abused and neglected children.

The Mission of Childhelp:
Childhelp(R) exists to meet the physical, emotional, educational, and spiritual needs of abused, neglected and at-risk children. We focus our efforts on advocacy, prevention, treatment, and community outreach.

Our Philosophy:
Childhelp credits its success to its founders' visionary beliefs, which are the heart of the organization:
•Childhelp believes that every child has a unique contribution to make to the world. We do everything within our power to help each child heal and develop self-esteem to reach their God-given potential.
•We believe unconditional love is the foundation upon which all healing begins. The entrance of each Childhelp facility features the words "All Who Enter Here Will Find Love."
•These children, who have seen the worst that life has to offer, deserve the best that we can provide while they are in the care of Childhelp.

Not surprisingly, the perspectives of the children served by Childhelp are varied. Some have known nothing but abuse and neglect, believing they were alone and that no one cared. Others lived in happy homes with caring, loving families, only to be hurt by someone outside the home, usually someone they already knew and trusted.
Childhelp programs and services are designed to help children from any situation and let them experience the life they deserve-one filled with love. The principal theme is to provide these children with an environment of love and kindness and with the best possible treatment services so they will see how special they truly are.

Click here to see what action you can take to help stop child abuse.  There are volunteer opportunities, events listing and a donation page.  There are also other opportunities for service available.  Will you help in this effort? 


Here are some shocking and sad statistics:
•A report of child abuse is made every ten seconds.
•Almost five children die everyday as a result of child abuse. More than three out of four are under the age of 4.

•It is estimated that between 60-85% of child fatalities due to maltreatment are not recorded as such on death certificates.

•90% of child sexual abuse victims know the perpetrator in some way; 68% are abused by family members.

•Child abuse occurs at every socioeconomic level, across ethnic and cultural lines, within all religions and at all levels of education.
•31% percent of women in prison in the United States were abused as children.

•Over 60% of people in drug rehabilitation centers report being abused or neglected as a child.

•About 30% of abused and neglected children will later abuse their own children, continuing the horrible cycle of abuse.

•About 80% of 21 year old that were abused as children met criteria for at least one psychological disorder.

•The estimated annual cost of child abuse and neglect in the United States for 2007 is $104 billion.

•Abused children are 25% more likely to experience teen pregnancy.

•Abused teens are 3 times less likely to practice safe sex, putting them at greater risk for STDs.

Source:  Childhelp