It's sometimes hard for adults to remember what it feels like to be a child. I found these poems and resources to help children around the world who has been victimized by abuse and want to be able to pass it on.

Abuse is a vicious cycle that needs to be broken. Abuse not only kills physically but kills the Spirituality!
"If it gets into the hands of just one parent who needs to stop hitting and yelling, and listen and love instead, my life will be so blessed."



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Please Save and Protect the Children!






TEDDY BEAR

Teddy, I've been bad again,
My Mommy told me so;
I'm not quite sure what I did wrong,
But I thought that you might know.


When I woke up this morning,
I knew that she was mad;
Cause she was crying awful hard,
And yelling at my dad.


I tried my best to be real good,
And do just what she said;
I cleaned my room all by myself,
I even made my bed.


But I spilled milk on my good shirt,
When she yelled at me to hurry;
And I guess she didn't hear me,
When I told her I was sorry.


Cause she hit me awful hard, you see,
And called me funny names;
And told me I was really bad,
And I should be ashamed.


When I said, "I love you, Mommy,"
I guess she didn't understand;
Cause she yelled at me to shut my mouth.
Or I'd get smacked again.


So I came up here to talk to you,
Please tell me what to do;
Cause I really love my Mommy,
And I know she loves me, too.


And I don't think my Mommy means,
To hit me quite so hard;
I guess sometimes, grown ups forget.
How really big they are.


So Teddy, I wish you were real,
And you weren't just a bear;
Then you could help me find a way.
To tell Mommies every where.


To please try hard to understand.
How sad it makes us feel;
Cause the outside pain soon goes a way,
But the inside never heals.


And if we could make them listen,
Maybe then they'd understand;
So other children just like me,
Wouldn't have to hurt again.


But for now, I guess I'll hold you tight,
And pretend the pain's not there;
I know you'd never hurt me,
So Goodnight, Teddy Bear...


~Cindy Pike Dunning~





Children Learn What They Live


If a child lives with criticism,
He learns to condemn.


If a child lives with hostility,
He learns to fight.


If a child lives with ridicule,
He learns to be shy.


If a child lives with shame,
He learns to feel guilty.


If a child lives with tolerance,
He learns to be patient.


If a child lives with encouragement,
He learns to appreciate.


If a child lives with fairness,
He learns justice.


If a child lives with security,
He learns to have faith.


If a child lives with approval,
He learns to like himself.


If a child lives with acceptance and friendship,
He learns to find love in the world.





^i^ Misty ^i^


My name is Misty,
I am but three.
My eyes are swollen,
I cannot see.


I must not be loved
For I am punished
By cigarette burns.


I must do right.
I can't do wrong,
Or else I am locked up
All week long.


When I awake,
I'm alone.
The house is dark,
My folks are gone.


Deep down inside I feel bad
For Mom and Dad.
I'm really just an expensive joke.
No more, no less....... then speed or coke.


Be quiet now! I hear a car.
My dad is back from Charlie's Bar.
I hear him curse.
My name he calls.
I squeeze myself against the wall


On my bed.
It's too late.
His face is twisted into hate.
I feel the pain again and again.
Oh, Dear God! Please let it end.


My name is Misty.
I am but three.
Last night my father
Murdered me......





In remembrance of all the children who have died from abuse by their alcoholic or drug abusing parents.


 


Daddy I was there


Daddy I was there for you to love,
Not for you to hurt.
I was there for you to cuddle,
Not for you to fondle.


I was there for you to teach,
Not for you to breach.
I was there for you to protect,
Not for you to reject.
I was there to be your little girl,
I was there just to be your world.


It went on and on for ten long years,
I have cried and cried so many tears.
Ten years of my life I spent in fear.
And I've had night terrors for year after year,
I remember the guilt and shame,
I also remember all your head games.


A little baby's dream is shattered,
Not that now it even matters.
Trusting?    Well that is hard to do.
To think that people can be true?


Daddy why did you do this to me?
Why couldn't you just let me be?
Daddy you were not alone, there were more,
All be told, together there were four.


In relationships it's hard to feel,  
For the wounds are deep, and slow heal. Daddy I was there after you met your own demise,
By your own hand, I couldn't believe that you had died.
It was hard for me to go back to that room,
The one where all I felt was gloom and doom.
I thought to my self "How cruel and mean
the spilled blood and filth you left for me to clean."



Daddy the ONLY present you ever gave was on my
sweet 16th birthday...
A poem... when I read it, it went on to say....
"What is a Daughter?
A daughter is someone lovely and dear...
Who just grows sweeter year by year."
You made me cold and bitter for a long time,


But because I forgive you. NOW my soul is mine....
I'm a survivor Daddy....oh yes in deed,
Love, safety, and security is all I need.©


Written by Darlene J.
September 25,1999


I wanted to thank my special someone who encouraged me to write this   and he knows who he is.... Thank you baby  I Love you!


Feedback write:
VI-2@webtv.net


Research indicates that 1 out of every 4 children will be the victim of sexual abuse before reaching age 18.

The clinical definition of sexual abuse has changed drastically over the past several years. As it increasingly expands our society has slowly begun to recognize the wide range of activities committed by sexual offenders. Sexual abuse can be physical, verbal or emotional. A one time episode of sexual abuse may seem unimportant to some, but never the less given the fact that it has occurred at all still constitutes sexual abuse and should be dealt with for the sake of the child. One time abused is one too many. Until we realize that the children of this world will continue to suffer at the hands of these abusers.

The sexual abuse of a minor child/children is not always committed by a stranger. Believe it or not, it is most often perpetrated by adults or children in which you have entrusted with care taking roles. It can be any adult, such as a family friend, the babysitter, a teacher, day care worker or even a priest, older children or peers who dominate and control through sexual activity.

This reportedly appears to be the most common form of child sexual abuse. Sexual abuse of a minor child/children by other members of their own families, including mother or father, step-parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. In many cases this can include multiple members. Example: father, brother and uncle all sexually abusing the same child/children.

Sexual molestation can happen to any one at any age and be committed by a perpetrator of any age or gender. It is sexual abuse involving sexual stimulation to the body and genital areas, including penetration.

Stranger rape can happen to anyone of any age or gender, it includes but it not limited to: anger, when "power and control" is expressed sexually in an attack on a victim, it may ire may not violence and or violent penetration of body openings (oral, anal, and vaginal).

This act of Sexual abuse, not necessarily being of a violent nature occurs when one is perpetrated by someone the victim knows and is often a peer in a trusted social relationship.

This term can cover a wide range of activities, which include a physical attack to the victims sexual body parts, often involving force or violence.

This act can be performed in many ways for instance, can include but is not limited to flashing, exposing the naked body, displaying ones sexual organs and or masturbation in an effort to shock, scare, intimidate, or sexually arouse a victim.

This act is an invasion of a victim's privacy when done either secretively or openly with the intent of gaining self sexual gratification. As well this can happen to victims of all ages and genders.

This act includes but is not limited to exposing a minor child/children to adult sexual activity, pornographic movies, magazines and or photographs. May also include having a minor child/ children pose, undress or perform in a sexual fashion on film, video or in person.

As parents we need to realize that the use of physical force is rarely necessary when trying to engage a child in sexual activity. This is due to the fact that children are very trusting and dependent upon us as adults. From the time they are very small we teach our children not to question authority; therefore, leave them believing that as adults we are always right and they must follow what we asked them to do. Every perpetrator that commits child sexual abuse knows this and takes advantage of these vulnerabilities in children in order to gain control over that child. This is a direct violation of that child's right to normal, healthy, happy and trusting relationships. That is why it is so important that we open our eyes to the severity of this problem that plagues our planet.





Here are some links to pages you may find interesting and more on the "NEXT" page:


Child Abduction FBI Response
Missing Children
Save the Children
Child Sex Abuse
Child Abuse Unit
Sexual Offense Recovery Online - Get help -Now- for you or a loved one.
Sexual Assault Information Page
Secondary Victims
Healerguide's Home Page
Abuse/Sexual Abuse/Incest Resources
Partners & Allies of Sexual Assault Survivors Resources list
Amnesty For Kids
M.A.L.E. - Dedicated to Healing Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse
N.O.M.S.V. - The National Organization On Male Sexual Victimization
Stop Prisoner Rape



These links below were done with a search engine. More sites can be found for your area. There were over 800 listings!


Pare nts Anonymous
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Parents Anonymous - Hennepin, Anoka and Dakota Counties: twincities.sidewalk
Contact: Diane McMonigal at (612) 874-8823 How this agency describes itself Designed to help parents stop abusive behavior, Parents Anonymous began in California in 1970. Our Parents ...

Parents Anonymous - Volunteer
This site provides information on Parents Anonymous' Austin program including parent education class, support groups and volunteer needs.

Parents Anonymous, Inc.
Parents Anonymous (PA) is a self-help group for parents and children who are in need of treatment and/or prevention of child abuse. Local PA chapters meet regularly to discuss the problems of parenthood in ...

Statewide News: from Parents Anonymous
This newsletter supports Parents Anonymous, which is a nationwide group supporting parents in developing positive parenting strategies. Issued quarterly, the newsletter focuses on different ...

Parents Anonymous
Parents Anonymous Parents Anonymous (PA) is a nonprofit organization with offices nationwide and is associated with the Massachusetts State Office of Children, 140 Clarendon Street, Boston. There are close to 50 ...

Parents Anonymous
Parents Anonymous of Maryland, Inc. is a statewide nonprofit agency dedicated to preventing and eliminating child abuse and neglect.   Services: Free, Volunteer-based, confidential, non-judgmental, ...

United Way of Abilene, Texas - Parents Anonymous of the Big Country
1317 North 8th, Suite 200 Abilene, TX 79601 915/672-2573 Contact Person: Melanie Copeland, Coordinator Hours: 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Mon.-Fri. (Administration office only) ...

HomeArts Family Time -- Parents Anonymous Forum
When your child's ready to start dating, will you be? Here's the place to share your thoughts on handling the heartbreaks, the hazards, and the hopes of children in love. Once in the forum, ...

Merlin Muffler & Brake - Blue Bow - Against Child Abuse
For Immediate Release THERE'S NO MAGIC TO STOPPING CHILD ABUSE Merlin Sponsors Parents Anonymous Family Nights at Childrens' Museum GENEVA, IL (March 22, 1999) -- April is National Child ...




Children Are Worth Saving Community OutReach Program: Creating
abuse awareness,education, recognition, prevention & intervention
because children's health and well being are our # 1 priority!





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Copyright by Danny Hahlbohm. All rights reserved by the artist


Granted permission to use the graphic image by Danny Hahlbohm.