Comments for Is it child abuse if I'm not bruised or injured?

Click here to add your own comments

May 27, 2008
 TELL someone...
by: Darlene Barriere - Webmaster

You and I both know that you have been adversely affected by the way your mother treats you, so whether or not a child abuse label can be placed on her actions, clearly, you need help dealing with the emotional repercussions of a mother who has singled you out for abuse.

I want you to know that NONE of what's happening to you is your fault. You are NOT to blame for the way your mother treats you. No matter what you do, you do not deserve to be mistreated. An article I wrote on this site titled Why Parents Target a Specific Child for Abuse may help you to better understand that this is about your mother; not you.

You need to talk to someone, perhaps a teacher, a school counsellor, a coach, an adult you trust. Another resource is Child Help at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453). They are staffed 24/7 with professionally trained counsellors who will listen to you. They are not a reporting agency, although they can help you through the process of reporting if you decide to disclose what your mother is doing to you; and I believe you should disclose. You deserve this kind of help.

As for the legal side of things, each State has their own laws that govern Child Protective Services (CPS) and allegations of abuse. Unless there is "immediate" danger to the child, very few children are actually removed from a home. It is possible that CPS would require your mother to attend anger management and parenting classes. It is the job of CPS to investigate allegations of abuse. One of three determinations results from an investigation. The allegation of abuse is:
  • substantiated (proven to be factual)
  • unsubstantiated (unproven/not enough evidence)
  • unfounded (proven to be false)
I am not an attorney, so I cannot say what would happen in your situation with respect to the issue of custody if CPS substantiated the abuse. Given your age, it is possible (heavy emphasis on the word possible) that you would have a say with regard to which parent you want to live with; but I cannot say that with any degree of certainty. Much depends on where you live.

I am more concerned about your safety. You do not deserve to be mistreated. Please TELL someone who can help you. Keep telling until someone DOES help you.

Darlene Barriere
Violence & Abuse Prevention Educator
Author: On My Own Terms, A Memoir
May 27, 2008
 Same here
by: Francine

Honey, I know how you feel and I am so sorry that you don't have a good mother; mine, too, abuses me. You should call the police on your mother cuz you don't deserve to be abused! You might want to try a lot of counselling cuz you are worth getting the help for yourself. Take care, sweetie, and I will pray for you.
May 28, 2008
 Reply
by: Anonymous

Thank you for your time. This topic is very hard for me so you have helped a lot. I was wondering if you could help me. I am having trouble believing that this is truely abuse. I can't make myself believe it. I have been writting to my teacher anonymously and asking more opinions because one is not enough to persade me. I have been living in an imaginary world my entire life and waking up to reality is hard. I don't know if I can become strong enough to tell. I am scared.
May 28, 2008
 I understand how you feel. . .
by: Ashley (desire b.)

I believe child abuse can be physical, internal, and by words. The fact that your mother hits you, but does not always leave bruises is horrible. I agree with Darlene completely. maybe, if you just tried to tell someone, they might believe you, but i understand that you love your mother and do not won't anything to happen to her, but sometimes you have to do whats best for you.
Jun 01, 2008
 Reply
by: Anonymous

Thank you for everyones time. This website is amazing!! It shows me what real family is. I feel close to people here even though I have never met them. I can relate to many stories. It has given me so much hope and courage. I finally told my father and I am going to try to get full coustody with him. My dad said that requires going to court which he cant afford. I don't want to be selfish and make him go broke because he barely has enough money as it is. He said he will do it for me but I know he doesn't have the money. I think I could stay with my mom for 2 more years until college. It's not that long to be selfish to my father. I would like to move in with my father but i would never make him pay for that. Does anyone have any advice?
Jun 12, 2008
 YES
by: Anonymous

OF COURSE ITS CHILD ABUSE WHEN UR MOTHER DOES THAT!!! NOT EVERY1 BRUISES WHEN THUR HIT. TELL SOMEONE!!!!!
Jul 11, 2008
 I know how you feel.
by: T&L

Both my parents have abused me. I also don't want anything to happen to my little brother. Hes only 4 and doesn't know whats going on most of the time. Hes told my mom to knock it off and to feed me when I lived in our motorhome. In 6 months I'll be 18 but this has been happning to me since I was 10.

My boyfriend has really been helping me out alot with this. His family understands what this is going on and want me to get out of there.
Aug 31, 2008
 Child Abuse in Schools
by: Anonymous

***Comment moved by Darlene Barriere - Webmaster***

Note From Darlene: Anonymous, your comment was too valuable to keep buried in this thread. In order to give it more exposure, I've built a new page for it at Child Abuse in Schools. I've included my own comments below that article that support your position. Thank you for submitting your post, and please feel free to comment further.

Darlene Barriere
Violence & Abuse Prevention Educator
Author: On My Own Terms, A Memoir
Jan 19, 2009
 Angry Parents
by: Anonymous

so tonight my dad hit me with a box and slapped me in the face.
:(
it was the first time he has ever raised a hand at me and i feel so bad about it :(
i jst dnt want to be in this house anymore!
:(
my mother always pulls my hair and stff lilke that
but my dad :(
Jan 19, 2009
 To Anonymous re: Angry Parents
by: Darlene Barriere - Webmaster

You need someone to talk to. Perhaps a school counsellor or trust teacher. Another resource is Child Help at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453). They are staffed 24/7 with professionally trained counsellors who will listen to you. They are not a reporting agency, although they can help you through the process of reporting if you decide to disclose what is happening in your home. You don't deserve to be hurt.

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

Click here to add your own comments

Return to Is it child abuse if I'm not bruised or injured?

Return to Ask Darlene

Disclaimer: To the best of my knowledge the child abuse
stories on this site are true. While I cannot guarantee
this, I do try to balance the need for the submitter to be
heard and validated with the needs of my visitors.



E-book: Victim To Victory

From Victim to Victory
a memoir

How I got over the devastating effects of child abuse and moved on with my life

Read more...

Most Recent

RSS

  1. Converging Stolen Lives

    Jan 30, 18 01:13 PM

    There was a time and space I didn’t think about you, or your abuse. Where when I looked back at my life, I only saw normal things, a normal childhood.

    Read More

  2. A letter to one of the 13 Turpin children

    Jan 29, 18 11:33 AM

    A heartfelt letter by a former classmate that speaks to bullying and regrets. You'll find it on my Facebook group. I hope you'll join and get in on the discussion.

    Read More

  3. Dissociated From Abuse

    Jan 29, 18 11:00 AM

    I was sexually abused by my father from age 6 to 13, which stopped when I started talking about it during the day. The teenage brother of my best friend

    Read More

E-book: Victim To Victory

From Victim to Victory
a memoir

How I got over the devastating effects of child abuse and moved on with my life

Read more...