Wire Hangers.

Child abuse. Ouch. Hm.... What is there to say about it? It's horrible. Unfair. Injust. Inexplicapebly horrific and sadistic. I'm sure you can come up with your own adjectives. It makes me sad and angry at the same time. Emotions just well up within me and I am unable to express how devestated I feel just thinking about it. Know what I mean? Unfortunately child abuse is a reality these days. But what do we mean by child abuse? "Child abuse is doing something or failing to do something that results in harm to a child or puts a child at risk of harm. Child abuse can be physical, sexual or emotional. Neglect, or not providing for a child's needs, is also a form of abuse (Source.)" Pretty broad isn't it? And sad too. Something you don't expect to walk outside your back door and see everyday. We don't wake up in the morning thinking about it. But children suffering abuse do. Can you imagine waking up daily and fearing the pain that awaits you? And keep in mind we're not talking about discipline. Whether or not we realize it as a child, discipline comes from love. Abuse does not. It is irrational and cruel. Any form of abuse. And it's pretty common. "Over 3 million reports of child abuse are made every year in the United States; however, those reports can include multiple children. In 2007, approximately 5.8 million children were involved in an estimated 3.2 million child abuse reports and allegations (Source.)" So sad. And it gets worse.

• A report of child abuse is made every ten seconds.
• Almost five children die everyday as a result of child abuse. More than three out of four are under the age of 4.
• 90% of child sexual abuse victims know the perpetrator in some way; 68% are abused by family members.
• Child abuse occurs at every socioeconomic level, across ethnic and cultural lines, within all religions and at all levels of education.
• The estimated annual cost of child abuse and neglect in the United States for 2007 is $104 billion.

It's scary that this is what the United States is facing right now. That this is what kids are up against. Now that we know how prevelant this issue is, how about we look into the long term effects on a child. Abuse molds and changes lives of the children. These are some of the affects.

• Abused children are 25% more likely to experience teen pregnancy
• Abused teens are 3 times less likely to practice safe sex, putting them at greater risk for STDs
• Children who have been sexually abused are 2.5 times more likely to abuse alcohol 
• Children who have been sexually abused are 3.8 times more likely develop drug addictions

• Nearly two-thirds of the people in treatment for drug abuse reported being abused as children
• 14% of all men in prison in the USA were abused as children
• 36% of all women in prison were abused as children
• Children who experience child abuse & neglect are 59% more likely to be arrested as a juvenile, 28% more likely to be arrested as an adult, and 30% more likely to commit violent crime. (Source)

So what can we do?Be a good parent, friend, teacher, and neighbor. Be on the up and up. Don't overlook a single thing or suspicion. Remember that five children DIE everyday from abuse. Keep an eye out for the following signs in a child: 

• Shows sudden changes in behavior or school performance
• Has not received help for physical or medical problems brought to the parents' attention
• Has learning problems (or difficulty concentrating) that cannot be attributed to specific physical or psychological causes
• Is always watchful, as though preparing for something bad to happen
• Lacks adult supervision
• Is overly compliant, passive, or withdrawn
• Comes to school or other activities early, stays late, and does not want to go home (Source)

Be a parent to a child who lacks a proper guardian. Disciple parents who are ignorant to Godly parenting or struggle with anger issues. By being aware we can promote prevention. And prevention is much easier than restoration. The body of Christ needs to ensure that children are receiving the love of Christ and not abuse. Makes sense. But what is the government up to and what are they doing? Article 19 of the UN Convention on the rights of the Child says, "States Parties shall take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse, while in the care of parent(s), legal guardian(s) or any other person who has the care of the child." But I'd like to challenge you with this thought: what if we as the church stopped relying on the government to fix things, and put it upon our selves to make sure that no child was abused in the first place? Think about it. Do you know what the worst part of child abuse is? It distorts the child's image of God. The image of God as our Heavenly Father. Child abuse corrupts the ability to see God as a perfect loving Father. 1 John 3:1 says, "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him." Can you imagine living life without being able to receive the pure and unconditional love of God? Child abuse requires healing on multiple levels. And unfortunately the spirit may have suffered the worst damage. But not all is lost. The Tennyson Center for Children in Colorado works with kids facing abuse. On their website they even feature stories of children who have overcome being abused and who are happy and healthy. By clicking on the links, you can read the stories of Eve, Andrea, and Josh. There is hope. And those three kids are walking testimony of the possibilty of healing. Yay! So get praying. God listens. And you can check out the video below if you're interested. I will warn you: you will cry. It is probably the most horrible case of abuse I have ever heard of. It's the story of a little girl named Briana from New Mexico. Get your tissues ready. Have you ever heard of Jetty Rae? She's a local artist from Northern Michigan. And can she ever sing. She is super talented and wrote a song about child abuse. It'll stir passion up in you as you listen. It's called Blessed Child and I highly reccomend it and they rest of her jams. Have you seen the movie Precious? I have not but I really want to. It's about a young girl who is severly abused. It's based on the novel Push by Sapphire. It won heaps of awards. Let me know what you think of it. And remember what God has told us, "“I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” - 2 Corinthians 6:18

Baby Briana: story of abuse

Blessed Child- Jetty Rae. (click on the song)