I have not been in the blogging mindset for a while now but something came onto my screen this evening that had to be shared.An incredibly brave and strong girl that I know spoke out about her experience of abuse in an attempt to raise awareness of the injustice that exists. This may be an issue I thankfully have not got any personal experience with but her words made me feel very passionately that I wanted to spread her story. So, here is what she wrote.
"Child abuse is a huge problem in our society today, especially within family homes. People don't realise how serious it is, because the victims don't always speak out. They believe they deserved it, somehow it's their fault or are too scared to report it, as they ear for their life. This is a problem that needs to be dealt with more severely, as there are often no punishments for the abusers.
I've finally realised that speaking out is the key, and so I wanted to bring attention to the fact that some people get so good at hiding it, you may not even know your best friend is being abused. For years, my own father abused me. He would hit be, pull me around by my hair and cause damages as serious as sprains and broken bones. This happened from around the age of 8, right up until last Christmas. I never told anyone, because I was sure it was my fault, and that if I spoke out, I might not have a life any more. However in February, I came clean to my mother and the police about the abuse I ordealed. I thought the time was right for people to know what my dad was like, and I presumed he would be punished in the right way. However I couldn't have been more wrong.
Dougie, as I now refer to him as, is waiting on a court date for one account of assaulting a minor. He works in a school, and, although being found as a child abuser, is still allowed to do so. He still has rights to talk to me, see me, and will not have those rights taken off him. Even if found guilty in court, he will not be fined, given a prison sentence or have any other type of punishment put upon him. This is wrong. I feel like all the years of abuse and months of interrogation I went through were for nothing. I'm telling everyone on Facebook about this because I feel the law should be changed. If I was over the age of 16, he would have a prison sentence. Surely my age doesn't make what he did any better? It takes 2 minutes to like and share this status. So that's what I'm asking you to do. Like it and share so all your friends can do the same. If it gets enough likes and shares, I can take this online petition to the police, and maybe the law will be changed. Please don't over look this, just like and share, and the person who ruined my childhood might finally get a taste of his own medicine."
If you are also struck by her words then let's get the story out there. Let's try and make the difference that needs to be made. Let's find justice for those suffering in silence.
