Editor’s Note: In honor of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, Staff Writer Meredith Harris will give personal accounts of abuse and how to help prevent child abuse.
He pinned my arms down as I struggled to push the pillow from my face. His other hand pushed the pillow down as I turned my head to get more air. I couldn’t breathe.
My mom pulled him off me and, after a fruitless attempt to make my 22-year-old brother apologize to me, told me to get dressed – we were going antique shopping.
All I wanted to do was sleep in on our vacation. But, like many times since I was little, my brother physically attacked me for no reason.
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. I encourage you to take part in the prevention of child abuse and neglect.
Know the warning signs of abuse. Some common signs are bedwetting, withdrawal, changes in behavior, depression, anxiety or low self-esteem, rebelliousness, running away and attempts at suicide, according to www.mayoclinic.com.
These are only signs of abuse, so keep in mind that just because a child exhibits these signs doesn’t mean that they are being abused. Similarly, a child may not exhibit all of the signs if they are being abused, according to www.mayoclinic.com.
Volunteer with Boy Scouts of America or Girl Scouts of the USA, the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of America or Big Brothers Big Sisters. When you’re volunteering with the kids, get to know them and be a positive influence in their lives who they can count on.
I know as college students we’re busy, so if you don’t have time to volunteer, say a prayer that kids who are being abused can find a safe, loving environment where they can heal from their wounds.
But most importantly, be a good listener and friend. When children or adult survivors finally tell someone their story, it is scary. I know from experience.
According to www.mayoclinic.com, it is important to be encouraging and supportive. Listen to what victims are saying, offer comfort, help the child remain safe and provide additional support as needed.
If you suspect that a child is being abused, don’t hesitate to take action and report it. Call the National Child Abuse hotline (1-800-4-A-CHILD) or look for your local emergency number in the first few pages in the phonebook, as suggested by www.child-abuse.com.