Child Abuse: Related Answers and Replies

by Darlene Barriere - Webmaster
(Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada)

I have recently come under fire over answers and replies I've provided to contributors who have written me through my Ask Darlene, as well as several other visitor submission pages.

It is apparent that some of my visitors are highly indignant over issues believed to be either trivial or not child abuse related. Some of the comments I've received (in private emails and in visitor comments—all of which I have either edited or deleted) have been in a word, scathing. Not only have these commenters denigrated me, in some cases, they've gone so far as to leave offensive remarks to the person who wrote the original piece.

The ability to leave comments on this site is not a license to let loose. The interactive nature of this site must be treated as a privilege with a responsibility attached to it. I want to be clear to everyone who visits here: I will not tolerate disrespect.

Whether or not you as a visitor agree with my answer on any query or issue, understand from where it comes. As a violence and abuse prevention (heavy emphasis on "prevention") educator, I have a responsibility to tender thoughtful responses that identify existing—as well as potentially existing—child abuse and the effects of child abuse. I often include intervention, prevention and risk management (prevention strategies at home, at school, in the workplace, and in public as well as private places) factors in my replies. I do not pull information out of thin air. My answers are based in large part on research, abuse related studies, and in some cases, available statistical data that I am privy to.

The purpose of this site is multi-faceted:

• To identify the types, signs and effects of each form of child abuse.
  
• To provide relevant child abuse information, including statistics, sex offender profiles, and victim (by gender) outcomes.
  
• To offer strategies geared toward intervention and prevention, including overall risk management.
  
• To give voice to child abuse survivors in a safe, encouraging and supportive environment.
  
• To proffer space to visitors with relevant child abuse knowledge, news, information, and queries.
  
• To suggest healing and recovery techniques that utilize practical as well as personal experiences as a foundation for such advise.
  
• To recommend the services of an appropriate professional when necessary.

Disagree with my answers if you must, but please...as a visitor to this site, I ask that you appreciate the perspective in which my answers are written, and that you exhibit the proper respect to all who contribute here.

Sincerely,

Darlene Barriere
Violence & Abuse Prevention Educator
Author: On My Own Terms, A Memoir

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