November 16, 2009
- We must protect the children.
Dear Mrs. Figgins:
This may not be any of my business, but I think one of my 7 year old son’s friends is horribly neglected.
This poor kid is filthy 99% of the time, and I don’t mean from a day on the playground. His hair is caked and matted. His nails are dirty.
When he comes over to play, and I ask if he would like something to eat, he eats with desperation.
He’s a sweet, sensitive, and very timid boy. Always polite. He doesn’t complain or make any problems when he comes over. He holds his little head down and seldom makes eye contact unless my husband asks him to look up when we’re talking at the dinner table.
We don’t think there’s physical abuse, but it’s hard to tell with what he wears, and we’re not professional investigators.
This is keeping me awake at night because in my gut, something is very wrong.
What can we do?
Aida and Bill in Jersey
Dear Aida and Bill:
There is obviously something wrong.
Physical or sexual abuse may be the most striking, because of the evidence left behind. However, child neglect is the most frequent form of child abuse, and more difficult to spot.
The result of any kind of abuse is the same – there is serious physical or emotional harm.
While child neglect may not always be deliberate, it is a failure to provide for a child’s most basic needs, and endangers their psychological and physical well-being.
The child may be fearful, shy away, even hesitant to go home. Clothing may be inappropriate for the weather, possibly covering evidence of physical abuse.
If you or anyone suspects a child is in immediate danger, please contact law enforcement immediately.
Below are Child Abuse Hotlines. They know what questions to ask and what steps to take.
To get help in the U.S., call: 1-800-4-A-CHILD: 1-800-422-4453 – http://www.childhelp.org/
To get help for child sexual abuse, call: 1-888-PREVENT ( 1-888-773-8368 ) – http://www.stopitnow.org/
Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE – http://www.rainn.org/
Protecting the children is our most important charge. You are doing the right thing.
Mrs. Figgins
Children Issues,How To,Love,Topics,advice
