Physical abuse...Emotional abuse...Verbal abuse. Every 47 seconds in the United States, a child is abused or neglected. We live in a society where over three million children a year are abused. In 1996, the National Center for Child Abuse and Neglect, reported almost a million cases of violent crimes committed against children. Estimates indicate that as many as 5,000 children die each year as a result of child abuse and neglect.

My heart truly aches when I read these statistics. I think about these innocent children, and I think of a time when I myself was also a victim of this horrible crime. Thirteen years I experienced physical, emotional, and verbal abuse. Out of the despair of my own abuse I wrote this poem, and I would like to share it with you, as well as dedicate it to all such children.

AN INNOCENT CRY
How many children are crying out today
Crying to be free from a life of shame
Free from abuse that goes on every day
Wanting to be normal and go out and play.
Daddy...Daddy...you make me so sad;
What did I do? Was I really that bad?
You say that you love me but you touch astray!
Please could I just go out and play?
Physical, emotional, verbal abuse
Please dear God help me break loose!

I try hard to understand why my father was this horrible man. If he could only understand how much he hurt me, and how he destroyed our family. My step father was an alcoholic and a victim of abuse himself. The pain he carried caused him to drink and thus abuse our family. Alcohol, drugs, and simple lack of knowledge about parenthood are a major cause of the cycle of abuse.

With God's help, I have forgiven my step father of the pain he caused me and my family. I thank God that this cycle of abuse did not carry over into my own family. However, my daughter was abused by a man who was living with her mother. I at first wanted to hate this man, but all I can do is forgive him...as that is what God wants me to do. My daughter is only seven years old and is in foster care. If only I had been there, I could have stopped the violation of my sweet little girl. I guess you could say I am as much to blame.

Hopefully everyone will take a close look at this problem we have with child abuse. We need to be aware of the common indicators of child abuse:

1. The frequent injuries such as bruises, cuts, black-eyes, or burns, especially when the child cannot give an adequate explanation for them
2. Frequent complaints of pain without obvious injury
3. Burns or bruises in an unusual pattern which could show the use of an instrument or human bite. Cigarette burns can be seen on the face, arms, or palm
4. Aggressive, disruptive, or destructive behavior
5. Lack of reaction to pain
6. Fear of going home or seeing parents
7. Wearing unseasonal clothes which may hide injuries to the arms and legs
8. Lack of personal cleanliness
9. Obvious malnourishment
10. Frequent absence or tardiness from school.

To be aware of these things is to save a child's life.

Our children are a gift from God on loan from heaven above to love and nourish in the Lord. They are worth more than silver and gold.

Prayer: God please help us protect these children from abuse. Please open the eyes of the abusers.

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