Suffer the children

This week is Child Protection Week.
It is a time when mankind is expected to reflect on the plight of children around the world and come up with ways and means to protect and better the lives of the next generation.

I find myself thinking it’s all very well to have such campaigns and to ease one’s conscience by participating in marches against women and child abuse or placing a few cents in a collection box.

But is this where our duty stops? Have we then really made a difference or do we simply leave it to other people to do the actual work because it’s “their job”.

This may be the only way we can help in cases where hundreds or thousands of children are starving, simply because we can’t all go to far-off places to distribute food and clothes.

But aren’t we sometimes missing the point? What about the children that may be in homes and part of families in our immediate neighbourhood?

It could be that on the surface all seems to be well and they have all the material comforts one can expect, but behind the scenes we know or suspect things are not what they seem.

The shocking statistics of children of all ages that are being sexually abused or mistreated by adolescents and adults speak for themselves. But society has a duty to speak for the children.

We as members of society have slumped into a comfort zone of not wanting to become involved in matters such as these and are inclined keep quiet.

Changing our attitude or way of thinking and speaking out when we know or suspect children are being abused is one way in which we as individuals can make a tangible and positive difference.

By speaking out, I don’t mean blabbing everything to Mrs Next Door or Mr Buddy at a braai.
There are people, places and structures in place that deal with this kind of crime against humanity and it is there where abuse of anyone, especially children, must be reported.

The maltreatment and abuse of children leaves scars that stay for the rest of their lives.
They carry this burden with them through all their trials and tribulations and often go on to repeat the sickening cycle by abusing their own children.

Let us all stand together and make a real difference in the lives of children by reporting child abuse in a civilised and discreet manner.

It is our duty to do so, especially if you, like myself, were blessed with parents who perhaps could not provide all the material comforts, gadgets and brand-name clothes that other kids may have had, but gave us a stable, comfortable and care-free home and priceless values in life.