Each year, around 40 million children are victems of child abuse worldwide. Out for those 40 million children, 15,000 under 15yrs old die every year, Four every day. 75% of these victems didn't live too see their fourth birthday.
80% were hurt by their own parents
15% by stepparents and
5% by other relatives
Child abuse is reported every 10 seconds. unfourtunatly, some calls come too late, and as a result of this, a child is left to die slowley and painfully, while others turn a blind eye. Why wont people report it? Why won't they help a child in need? Many of them are too afraid to make that step in the right directon, afraid of getting on the wrong side of the abusers, afraid of making a false acusation, fearing their own saftey. But ask yourself self this, if you saw a child in desperate need, would you sit back and do nothing and wonder 'what if'?
Or would you take the time out of your busy lives to find the truth and save a life? I know what I would do. What about you?

This Christmas, I want to see a change, I don't want to see the numbers rise anymore and neither do you, otherwise you wouldn't be reading this, lets make them drop, lets show the kids we care. My family works with C.Y.F (child youth and family) which is a fostering agency in New Zealand, and this time of year our numbers are higher than ever, we have calls on a weekly basis, for children needing shelter, and although we can't help every one of them, it still feels good that we're doing something to help. Everytime we have a child come to stay with us, and we see the little things that make them so afraid, that other kids don't have a problem with (like taking a bath or going to sleep) It breaks my heart. Who would want to harm their own child?! Who would want to harm ANY child?! But it's not something to be grudgy about. Most of the time the abusers need our help. They don't need us yelling in their ears, telling them what bad, un-loving parents they are, all they need a little bit of trust, a little understanding and a lot of support.
If I have learnt anything over the years of fostering, it's that Parents that are locked away due to child abuse, only abused again once released, But the parents that were helped and put through therapy and courses, made a full turn around and cleaned themselves up. Some, only a very small percentage, but some even got their children back. Now that's what I want to see. Parents being helped and changing their life, because think about it? Yeah sure, we could lock the parents up, make them hate themselves, and then release them a few years later, only for them to wind up back in prison some time later for the same crime. Or we could show them what they did wrong, make them understand the seriousness of their actions, and help them to change. Because at the end of the day, I would rather see more people getting help, rather than people rotting in prison, when all they needed was to be shown how to control their anger.
Now I know some of you will think im crazy, thinking, why would you want to help the people that hurt something so innocent? How can you think like that? The truth is....I don't know! I have no idea why I have a soft spot for the parents. I mean if they killed the child,raped,or were continues offenders then that's not ok!! and I don't think I could ever have even a tiny bit of respect for people like that. They make me sick! But for the others, I feel sorry for them, because they don't know how to control their anger, and I think that sucks. Some of you won't agree with me. That's ok. Im here to state my opinion, as are you. so feel free to comment away.

But the point of this article is not about the parents, it's about the children. I want to see a change. The numbers of abuse sky rocket this time of year, and it's time to stop! Time to put an end to all of this. I know I can't change the world, I wish I could, but I can't, but we can help. Im not here to advertise for some company and wrap you into leaving some heafty donation. Im writting this because I wan't to, and I think it's vital that people are aware of what's going on, and how many children a suffering. Please Help me to put a stop child abuse! it's not fair, that children suffer each day. Make it your new years resolution to spread the word and take action if you can. Do it for your sons, your daughters, your neice's and nephews, Grandchildren, cousins..whatever
and please if you know a child who's experiencing abuse, please I beg you to speak out for them. You are their only voice. You are their only hope.

And remember "Love IS the best defense against abuse" - ChildAbuseCharity.com