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Jan 16, 2008
 Helping with prevention is just as beneficial as intervention
by: Darlene Barriere - Webmaster

Sara, I praise you for your desire to get involved and help abused children. It is such a worthy cause, and I for one admire any teen that cares enough to want to make a difference.

You didn't identify where you live; but when I did a search it indicated your email came from Pakistan. If you do live in Pakistan, it's difficult for me to give you advice since I am not familiar with the system in which you live. I'll offer the same advice I've given to others who have asked me the same question; perhaps you'll find something helpful in this guidance.

Consider volunteering as a mentor, either in your school or in an after-school program. I also suggest volunteering for an organization such as a local women's shelter to get you started. Most of the women in shelters have children; and those children have been abused and neglected in some way. Check your phone book to learn if your area has a local Volunteer Placement Society. If you do, they will be able to help you find an appropriate organization to volunteer for.

Learn all you can about child abuse and its many forms. Become familiar with the signs and effects of child abuse. The more aware you are, the more able you are to identify child abuse when it happens. As you get older, more opportunities will become available.

Don't just think in the now. Think about your future. Think about a career that entails working with children. Just remember that in order to help, it isn't necessary to work directly with abused children. Prevention is every bit as important as intervention, so keep your options open for a variety of professions that will align you with children, parents, and other organizations that include children.

Again, Sara, I hold you in high esteem for wanting to assist children who live in abusive situations. The world needs motivated people like you!

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

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stories on this site are true. While I cannot guarantee
this, I do try to balance the need for the submitter to be
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From Victim to Victory
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How I got over the devastating effects of child abuse and moved on with my life

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