I’m a kid that is being abused – what should I do?

Abused child with black eye First off, lets get two things straight. Write these down, say them to yourself three times a day, whatever it takes to get these two things in your head. They are VERY important.

  1. this is not your fault
  2. you must tell someone about this

Your fault?

So you’ve been tricked, lied to, hurt, and just generally jerked around. If you’re here though, then you’re obviously smart enough to know something is not right about what’s happening to you and you are looking for help. The most important thing for you to understand is that this is not your fault. This is so important to understand, let’s say it again – THIS IS NOT YOUR FAULT. Grownups will say all sorts of tricky things to make you feel like it is your fault. You may be ashamed or feel guilty. You may be scared.  That is normal. But no matter what you feel, you are a kid and your abuser is a grownup. There is absolutely NOTHING you could do to make this your fault. Think of something you did that makes you think it’s your fault. Nope, still not your fault. It’s impossible for the kid to be at fault. Grownups are, well, grown up, and know what is right and what is wrong. They are at fault and need help.

Telling someone

This might be really hard to do. In fact, it might be the hardest thing you’ve ever done. But it’s the right thing to do and it will help you. How do we know? Scientists took 500 kids that had been abused and had later told somebody about their abuse. They asked those kids many years later if they were glad they told someone about the abuse. 498 of the 500 kids said “yes”, telling was the right thing to do and they were glad that they told someone. It might be hard to tell someone now but later you will see that it was the right thing to do.

If you do not tell someone, you will almost surely be hurt some more. Plus, you will suffer inside when you get older. This is something you have to stop, take a deep breathe, and fix it now.

Tell your teacher, tell a friend, tell the police, or call a special phone number that is set up to help kids just like you. Just find a place to be alone and do it now. They will help you very fast and make sure that the person that is abusing you does not hurt you any more and that they get help so they don’t hurt any other little kids.

  1. Call 911 (the police)
  2. Or call the National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 (1-800-4-A-CHILD).

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