posted November 30, 2007 03:09 PM         

I wish I were better
I wish I weren't ugly,
Then maybe my mommy
Would still want to hug me.

I can't do a wrong
I can't speak at all
Or else im locked up
All day long.

When im awake im all alone
The house is dark
My folks aren't home
When my mommy does come home
I'll try and be nice,
So maybe i'll just get
One whipping tonight.

I just heard a car
My daddy is back
From Charlie's bar.

I hear him curse
My name is called
I press myself
Against the wall
I try to hide
From his evil eyes

I'm so afraid now
I'm starting to cry
He finds me weeping
Calls me ugly words,
He says its my fault
He suffers at work.

He slaps and hits me
And yells at me more,
I finally get free
And run to the door

He's already locked it
And i start to bawl,
He takes me and throws me
Against the hard wall
I fall to the floor
With my bones nearly broken,

And my daddy continues
With more bad words spoken,
"I'm sorry!", I scream
But its now much to late
His face has been twisted
Into a unimaginable shape

The hurt and the pain
Again and again
O please God, have mercy!
O please let it end!

And he finally stops
And heads for the door
While i lay there motionless
Brawled on the floor

My name is chris
I am three,
Tonight my daddy
Murdered me

And you can help
Sickens me top the soul,
And if you read this
and don't pass it on

I pray for your forgiveness
Because you would have to be
One heartless person
To not be effected
By this Poem

And because you are effected,
Do something about it!
So all I ask you to do
Is pass this on!

posted November 30, 2007 06:20 PM         

I have previously read it and truly once was enough!

I do believe it's important to bring child abuse to light as well as offer solutions to people to help resolve or bring a change about this situation at hand.

Childhelp USA's National Child Abuse Hotline
1-800-422-4453
(1-800-4ACHILD)
Childhelp USA is a non-profit organization "dedicated to meeting the physical, emotional, educational, and spiritual needs of abused and neglected children." Its programs and services include this hotline, which children can call with complete anonymity and confidentiality.
For more information, see What to Expect When Calling and other helpful information at their web site. From the site: "The Childhelp USA® National Child Abuse Hotline is open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Don't be afraid to call. No one is silly or unimportant to us. If something is bothering you or you want information, CALL!" To learn more about reporting child abuse or neglect in your state, see Local Phone Numbers.

Rape Abuse & Incest National Network
1-800-656-4673 (HOPE)
RAINN is a national network of rape crisis centers. This is an automated service that links callers to the nearest rape crisis center automatically. Rape crisis centers are staffed with trained volunteers and paid staff members who also have knowledge of sexual abuse issues and services (though sometimes they are not adequately prepared to refer male survivors). All calls are confidential, and callers may remain anonymous if they wish.

National Domestic Violence/Abuse Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE
1-800-799-7233
1-800-787-3224 TDD
This is a 24-hour-a-day hotline, staffed by trained volunteers who are ready to connect people with emergency help in their own communities, including emergency services and shelters. The staff can also provide information and referrals for a variety of non-emergency services, including counseling for adults and children, and assistance in reporting abuse. They have an extensive database of domestic violence treatment providers in all US states and territories. Many staff members speak languages besides English, and they have 24-hour access to translators for approximately 150 languages. For the hearing impaired, there is a TDD number. This is a good resource for people who are experiencing or have experienced domestic violence or abuse, or who suspect that someone they know is being abused (though it is not perfect, and may not have the best number in your area). All calls to the hotline are confidential, and callers may remain anonymous if they wish.

ChildLine (UK)
0800 1111
"ChildLine is the free helpline for children and young people in the UK. Children and young people can call us on 0800 1111 to talk about any problem – our counsellors are always here to help you sort it out."

There are, as an example; across the US many educational classes, safty centers and other resources offered to parents and children alike totally free of charge.

Here are some of these programs:
Parenting Classes offerred through local colleges
Parents In Control offer through community programs
Anger Management classes offerred through the health department
Big Brother Program
Child Abuse Network
Teen Hotline

Contact your local department of social services for more information. Or look in your phone book.

posted November 30, 2007 08:03 PM         

Thanks for posting those links, YFIS. They are actually places where we can do something about child abuse.

Just heard this week in the news that there is a law either pending or being passed in Massachusetts at this time that makes it illegal to even spank a child.