Useful Links & ThingsNeed information? Don't know who to ask or where to turn? Here are some useful links and information sources that will respect YOU and your privacy.
Abuse:
Most of us don't know a lot about Child Abuse - what it is and what
results can be. This information is written for young people like you who want to know more. You may be reading this because you're concerned about yourself or about a friend, or just because you're interested in
subject.
As you get older, you start making important decisions about relationships with family and friends, school, and health.
How you feel, how you get along with others, and what you want out of life are all very important parts of growing up and living a healthy, happy life. But these are also
things that are threatened if you are a victim of child abuse.
You might think, Well, I'm not a child any more. But a person is considered a "child" up to
age of 18 in most states; 17 in others.
Even if you are older or you are no longer being abused, abuse can leave a lot of physical or emotional damage. So it's important to take steps to end
abuse if it is still happening and to begin to heal yourself emotionally so you can get on with your life.
In
pages that follow, we talk about what child abuse is and what it is not. We also talk about some of
reasons that child abuse happens and why it is so important for abused teens to get help for themselves and, hopefully, for their families. Then, we talk about how and where to get that help.
What is child abuse? What are
different kinds of abuse? Abuse is a family problem The abuse is not your fault What are
signs of abuse? Dealing with
feelings Revealing
secret Getting someone to listen Where to get help Take
first step Need to talk?