GUILTY BYSTANDER

Abuse happens everyday. AT LEAST four children die A DAY from abuse. Statistics can show outrageous numbers of how many are abused, how they are abused, who it was from, etc. But in reality, the statistics only show ⅓ of it all. Too many times, people see it happening and don't call. Too many times people suspect something, and they don't ask. Too many times people see the evidence and the proof, but turn away. There are even times that a victim has told people (friends, teachers, etc) in hopes of finding help ... And the person doesn't do anything. They sit back, might give them a hug or a shoulder to cry on here and there ... But doesn't do anything to stop it.

SPEAK UP.

You are now in fault and ALLOWING the abuse to happen. You and the abuser have become a team. Working together against the child by keeping them in silence.

One of the most horrifying effects of child abuse is the tendency to repeat itself. One of every 3 abused victims BECOMES an abuser. So by allowing your fear or apathy to keep you silent, is allowing not just one child to be abused and killed in their silent cries, but to allow the abuse to possibly continue the ANOTHER generation as well.

But you don't want to interfere in someone else's life? You don't think you are involved in this? The MOMENT you found out or suspected the abuse, you became involved. There is no way around it. Just because you close your eyes and ears and pretend it isn't happening, doesn't make it go away. Often times, when we close our eyes or look away, the situation has the potential to become worse.

You don't believe that speaking up and reporting the abuse will do any good? Better safe than sorry. That one time you chose NOT to call, usually results in some of the most severe cases. That child will continued to be touched, raped, hurt, and shamed because you didn't think you could help.
Even if you SUSPECT something, please report it.

You don't want to report it because you don't want to break up that family? Yeah, you're right. Leaving that family with a scared, raped, self harming, soon to be (if not already) suicidal child is a lot better than HELPING that family get the help they need. NO. I just pray the child stays alive long enough for everything to magically disappear.

If you are a parent and you know your child is being molested, the longer you wait, the closer they get to death. Children do not suffer through abuse without the effects that it causes on the heart and body. It will affect every aspect of their life. Knowing they can't trust anyone and thinking every person is just like their abuser. How dare you allow a child to live through life (if they chose not to kill themselves) with those thoughts tucked away in their heart because YOU decided not to help. You have become just one more person they will never be able to trust. If you can live with yourself knowing that you are risking the LIFE of your child, then so be it. You will reap what you sow. God promises that.