Articles of the Month

Abuse

May 12, 2003 There is nothing more damaging that the abuse so many youth experience daily, be it verbal, physical, or sexual abuse, the results can be disastrous.

For many children, the abuse starts early. Their families have come by hard times and the stress becomes unbearable. Or, perhaps, it is that one kid in school who seems to think the world revolves around them and everyone else are his or her slaves. This abuse can go on for years.

Next comes high school, or for some junior high. By then, the abuse can be so bad that some turn to their only way out - suicide. And, although, most see suicide as out of the question, it is a choice. Just know there are others.

When I was a child, I was verbally abused at school daily. I became quiet and withdrawn, with usually only one friend. And even that friend treated me like I was the dirt underneath her. When there were 4 months left of my grade 9 year, I moved from British Columbia to Calgary, Alberta. For the rest of the year I had no friends and went through the next 6 months feeling that I had no one to talk to. By the time I finished grade 10, I had been so physically abused by my first 2 boyfriends (one of them even threatening to kill me, but I did not consider suicide). I made another choice, I got help.

Whether it is your parents, councilor or your best friend, there will always be someone you can talk to. I know talking to people saved me. And even now, when I see the person who threatened my life in the halls of schools, I know I'll be alright, because I spoke out. It is only through this communication that the violence will stop.