Maliya
"I was awoken from a deep sleep by a brutal stinging sensation. I rolled over quickly, glancing up to see that hand that is ever so familiar coming down upon me. As I turned, the hand struck me in the face… again… and yet again… over and over. I screamed of the pain, but every time I made a noise or tried to move, the hand would strike again. Suddenly I felt the brusque cutting of the belt buckle as it whipped across my back and stomach. I squirmed and tried to cover myself, but there was no hope. Those strong arms wrapped around me, dragging me to the floor. I was trapped. I closed my eyes as I saw those feet, wearing that same, well-known pair of big black boots, coming harshly towards me. I felt the lacerating blows to my ribs and head. It continued as I cried silently, trying to breathe. After several minutes of being violently battered, that all so familiar abuser left me lying on the floor in a pool of my own blood… my body swollen and aching dreadfully… I could not move. What had I done? Why was it happening this time? I am so confused… what did I do? I don't know why he keeps doing this to me… I wish he would just kill me so I don't have to go through this anymore. I never did anything wrong… but if I tell… I know he will kill me…"
The above description, obviously that of a person being abused, is not necessarily an actual true event. However, what if it were? Have you ever been that poor, defenseless, dazed victim? Or how about the abuser - have you ever been in their shoes? Or are you a person who knows someone who is abusing or being abused? I know I cannot solve the problem of abuse in today's society, but I certainly hope that what I have to say in this article could perhaps help or change someone's mind.
Why does abuse occur? There are several different factors that trigger abuse, but why they really happen - we can never be certain. Take the above incident for example - what would you say if this happened because the victim, a young child, didn't fold an item of clothing correctly, and therefore they were considered an awful person? What if it were because this child got all A+'s on their report card except one - an A in a class that everyone else was flunking? Or what if it were simply because the abuser, the mother or father of the child, had a bad day at work and decided to take out their frustrations on their own kid? These probably sound like really stupid reasons to hit a child, don't they? Well guess what - believe it or not, many and most abuses do occur because of small, unimportant situations like these. The saddest part of all is that these victims, many small children and some even adults, have no idea why they are being mistreated and they have no control over how to stop it.
Is there anything you can do to help with the issues on abuse? I know I am not a counselor, but I do have a bit of advice to offer. Everyone knows abuse is wrong - most likely even those who commit it know it is wrong, and maybe they even feel guilty at times. So how can we stop this? Here's the deal: Victims: If you're being abused, be aware that what the abuser is doing to you is WRONG! No one has the right to hurt you. Never be afraid to tell a trusted adult or friend about what is going on - you can get help yourself and stop it from happening. But you say, "They will kill me if I tell…" Not if you tell soon enough! If someone else gets to the abuser before the abuser gets to you, they can't hurt you. Be brave… tell a friend.
Abusers: If you have ever abused, or thought about abusing someone, re-read the beginning of this article, only this time put yourself in that victims shoes. Imagine yourself being brutally attacked for practically no reason, or for a stupid reason, and you being completely helpless and scared to death. Next, GET HELP! The first step to rehabilitation is admitting that you have a problem. So do yourself a favor - call for help and save the life of not only your victim, but the life of yourself as well.
If you know someone abusing or being abused: If you know a child or adult that is being abused, or someone who is abusing another being, call for help! You will help no one by sitting and waiting - the situation will only get worse. Call the police or an abuse hotline and help save someone from a life trauma.
I hope what I have had to say has made you think about today's well-known issue of abuse. Like I said, I know that writing an article in a high school literary magazine will not diminish the problem, but hopefully it has made you stop and think. What do you say? Will you take a stand and help out the next victim that comes along? All it takes is one phone call. The choice is yours…
*Child Abuse Information & Treatment Center
Children's Advocacy Center
201 E. Grove
Bloomington, IL 61701
(309)888-5656
