In the past, children may have experienced physical, sexual and emotional abuse as well as neglect, alcohol and drug abuse, bullying and ridicule.
The problem most children had is that there was no one to whom they could turn for assistance. When they approached others in the community, sometimes they were not believed or ignored. Usually though, abused children did not ask for help. They were so ashamed that they could not approach anyone for help.
If the children survived the trauma of their abuse and grew into adults, they continued to be haunted by their early childhood experiences. Most had troubles making friends and difficulties moving into their own marriages and families. They could not trust other people.
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Some of the children found themselves abusing their own children. What could be expected? Close to 80 percent of what a child learns during his or her early years is based on modeling after his or her parents. If all the child saw was abuse in the home, that is what he or she might practise within his or her own household.
We know that abuse on the Prairies continues today, much as it does elsewhere, but there is a difference. Today’s abused child can ask for help and expect to get it.
Most teachers and school administrators are aware of the problem of abuse in their communities and will not only listen to the child who is suffering but
will report the problem to the proper authorities.
Community leaders, church people and either the RCMP or the local police force are all there to help protect the child. All of our provincial social service agencies, including those visiting small communities, have the trained personnel to get involved.
If children today feel alone and isolated, they can call the Kid’s Help Phone at 800-668-6868. The operators on that line have information about each of the province’s social services and can help the child get in touch with those who are there to protect him or her.
We do not need any more unsung heroes. We need children who are healthy and happy, who can go to school without fear and who can take the school bus to a home where their rights are being protected. We need children who feel good about themselves.
Jacklin Andrews is a family counsellor from Saskatchewan who has taught social work at two universities. Mail correspondence in care of Western Producer, Box 2500, Saskatoon, Sask., S7K 2C4 or e-mail jandrews@producer.com.
