Child abuse

**imthefrgt10** · December 11, 2006, 06:02 PM

suppose someone is undergoing physical and verbal abuse for years, no one in his family is able to support or take care of the child, should the abused child report his claims or just wait it out?

**Erik** · December 11, 2006, 06:43 PM

Are you talking from personal experience?

In any case: the child should seek help from professionals.
I think most countries have institutions that can help abused children and even give them a new home (I know my country has).

**jjmac** · December 11, 2006, 06:48 PM

Report it asap.

**LoZz** · December 11, 2006, 06:51 PM

if physical and verbal abuse has been going on for years, then its unlikly to stop torrmorrow, the sooner its reported the sooner it stops.

the question is, when we say physical and verbal abuse, what are we talking about here?

**Farnan** · December 11, 2006, 06:55 PM

Report it immediately. If you see it happening, stop the abuser by any means neccessary.

**imthefrgt10** · December 11, 2006, 06:59 PM

ok, lets say its 4 months till the child turns 18 but the child has no way to work and doesnt want to go into foster care?

**Farnan** · December 11, 2006, 07:07 PM

Then what's going to change when you turn 18? Is he suddenly going to stop hitting you because you're an adult? Do you plan on moving out, but then you can't work so that you won't be able to do that...

**Bwaho** · December 11, 2006, 07:17 PM

Then what's going to change when you turn 18?

hmm well he would be considered an adult so he would have more options.

the best thing would be to find someone you trust, a relative or a friend's family that you can stay with until you sort things out. The important thing is to stay optimistic even in the darkest moments.

**AMERICARULES** · December 11, 2006, 07:59 PM

The abused child should report the abuse as fast as he can. Social services can come in and place the child in a healthier environment where the abuse stops which is the most important thing.

**Aristophanes** · December 11, 2006, 11:28 PM

Does the person in question have extended family he trusts or who are sympathetic? If so, person in question may want to talk to them before social services. The unfortunate truth about social services is that you can get into even more abusive situations.

**LoZz** · December 12, 2006, 02:06 AM

Originally Posted by imthefrgt10

ok, lets say its 4 months till the child turns 18 but the child has no way to work and doesnt want to go into foster care?

that doesnt always happen

depending on what kind of abuse etc they might well be sent on a parenting class instead. usualy they only take the child away if they have too for the childs own good.

and if only one of the parents is being abuseive he or she will be removed from the house, not the kid.

if the abused person is 17, he/she is still intitled, and still will recive the same kind of help as a 7 year old.

when the person is 18, the adults can still be punished for what they did to him/her as a child and can also be done for adult battery. in cases when the child is 18, its the same process, you would only go into a home/shelter IF it was totaly nessicery, usualy they will punish the parents first.

the reason its a simular system for an adult and a child is because its still parents abuseing thier children. you will always be someone child, you cant grow out of that.

but hey - even if they do take you into care, they will usualy be more then happy to hand you over to a relative if both the relative and you want it. and if your an adult you can get up and go of your own free will.

my advice, tell a relative, or a friends parent or someone who has a home and you know are nice people, and then ask if you can move them, i cant imagen them say no provideing the child is actualy been abused. once you have done that, then contact the police etc, tell them you want to live here with this relative, and they will leave you their usualy, and will proberly give the parents a restraining order.

**Ronin** · December 12, 2006, 02:10 AM

What type of abuse are we talking about?

**boofhead** · December 12, 2006, 03:10 AM

If it's that bad surely this near-adult can find somewhere to go for mere 4 months? The kid could just hit the streets and go to the first church he finds and tell the congregation leader his predicament (assuming his country has churches).

Hell, if the "person" lived in my country he/she could sleep on my couch for 4 months no problem. There are many people willing to help - more than you would think.

As far as reporting, that is up to the victim. If he/she can get out quickly and start a new life maybe there is no need for beaurocratic problems and further stress/humiliation/confrontation etc.

But I would strongly suggest NOT "waiting it out". Nobody deserves UNWARRANTED abuse. The person should get the hell out TONIGHT and go to someone who can help.

**the Black Prince** · December 12, 2006, 05:53 AM

waiting out it is dependant upon the child being independant upon 18.

i doubt him moving out on his 18th birthday and setting up for himself if he does not already have the means to do so.

report it, asap. there is no reason to suspect that it will cease to continue once the child is no longer one, and even if this were the case, those perpetrating it deserve whatever sanctions the laws lay down for their actions.

**Tom Paine** · December 12, 2006, 06:07 AM

There is a reason things like this have legal sanctions, there really is. Nothing will change in the interspersing time except continuance, and after he hits 18 continued continuance. As people have said, waiting it out is probably one of the worst things to do.