WASH LINE - Spring 2007

By Peggy Harris, W.A.S.H. Board Chair
Women and Men Against Sexual Harassment and Other Abuses
www.tagnet.org/wash

At the annual meeting of the North American Division Human Relations Advisory in March it was recommended that “Child Abuse Prevention Sabbath” be added to the NAD Calendar.  The month of April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and it was felt that any Sabbath during that month could be selected by a local Seventh-day Adventist Church to educate church members in child abuse prevention beginning in 2008.

W.A.S.H. is beginning to observe this in April of 2007.  With this W.A.S.H. Line we hope to create your interest in helping to prevent child abuse.  There are many materials available on our web site that may be used as handouts for churches of any denomination. 

The growing problem of child on child abuse shows that children are acting out abuse they may have observed or received from adults.  This type of abuse is alarming in its growing status.  Both churches and church schools need to have trained adults ready to deal with this when it occurs.  Keeping our children healthy and emotionally well balanced should be the goal of all adults who work with children one on one or in groups.

In my home church, I’m starting this April of 2007 and will have something from our web site to give out each Sabbath.

Do encourage your local church to take all precautions to protect our most precious beings – our children.  When abuse happens, the effects can last a lifetime.  Prevention is the better way to safeguard these little ones that Jesus said “Let them come unto Me and forbid them not.”

I Once Was A Little Girl…..

I once was a little girl
Who was playful and carefree,
Who had an imagination and played make-believe
With no fears nor tears.
I used to be happy and lively.
I once was a little girl
Until you came as a thief
And stole my childhood away.
You treated me like a doll
With no feeling nor fears.
I once was a little girl.
I had feelings and fears
But you did what you wanted

While I was frightened, in tears.

You were the one with no heart.

I once was a little girl

But you victimized me,

Put fear in my life,

Made me depressed and lifeless,

Made me think of suicide.

Now I am a young lady.

I have overcome my fears

And mended my tears.

You victimizing me is a portion of my life.

I hope you regret it until the day you die!

Written by a 12 year girl treated by a victim/predator therapist

This page last updated on Monday April 09, 2007 09:04 AM

Disclaimer: We are not a counseling service.  We prepare materials to help church
members and church leaders better understand the problems abuse brings and prevention methods.

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