This is indeed the dark time; a time, when the future of our nation is being snatched away by the hands of oppressors–the abusers, the murderers, the cold-blooded step fathers and fathers and even mothers. Yet so many of us turn a blind eye to what is going on, shrug our shoulders and keep moving as though it does not affect all of us a nation. It pains me very much to see how our children are being negatively affected in so many ways. How many more tears must a mother shed for the life of her little one?
How much more innocent blood must be shed before we wake up as a nation and do something about this ongoing situation? In the past three weeks, one child was murdered, another was killed then raped, and another was allegedly beaten to death by his father, and there are many more even as I write this article today who are suffering in silence because of sexual, physical, verbal and emotional abuse.
And sadly, many more are going to suffer and die at the hands of their oppressors. Abuse is one of the most oppressing and perplexing problems facing families in our society today.
Those who are supposed to be protecting our children are either the perpetrators or oblivious to the fact that their child/children are being abused.
We need to pay closer attention to the signs of an abused child and "John Public" needs to be more educated as to what some of the signs of an abused child are so that we may be better equipped to spot them and handle delicate situations such as these with tact.
I also suggest the launch of a public awareness campaign to explain the sorts of things that family, neighbours and people in the community should look out for and where they can go for help if such situations occur. We need to teach our children the signs of abuse and reassure them that is ok to go to a friend or family member if they are being abused in any way.
We, the adults of this nation, should place more focus and value on the youth of our nation rather than being caught up in the lifestyles of Hollywood celebrities and a life wishing for the perfect romance. To the mothers who know what is happening to your little girls and boys within the walls of your homes and do nothing about it, sad is your portion! Not even a dog will stand by and watch her pup get hurt. It is time for us to wake up and stop becoming the red flowers that bend their heads in awful sorrow after all is said and done.
Sonia Kewley,
via e-mail