Blog- Children first, last and always

A child of no consequence

3/9/2015

Police officers escort the man accused of raping and torturing the little girl

This tiny human being, this little girl, this small daughter is just one story, plucked out from thousands of similar stories. This beautiful, innocent girl, suffered chronic internal injuries, inflicted by the unbelievable callousness of her rapist who left her for dead. Her parents abandoned her at the hospital, because of the shame. Human rights were meaningless and non-existent to this poor, defenceless child.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/india/10008269/Five-year-old-victim-abandoned-in-hospital-as-India-faces-child-rape-crisis.html
But...If she had been born a child of consequence. If she had been the daughter of a President, a Prime-minister, Royalty, the Elite or even a Celebrity. It would have been a 'Big Deal'. It would have been a big deal to the mass media, the judiciaries, to society and to the world. The perpetrator would have been found and brought to justice, swiftly and dealt with severely. There would have been public outcry and an outpouring of sympathy. There would maybe, be a change of law. And if she had died, memorial and maybe a school or children's hospital named after her. The worlds media would run constant stories, including the arrest and trial of the rapist. There would be endless internet discussions and documentaries made. This story would reverberate all around this empathetic planet for many years after.
But...This little girl was not a child of consequence. Her tiny, damaged body will be forgotten...just like her story, and the thousands of other stories like hers.
What kind of world do we live in, when only the rapes and deaths of children of consequence are addressed in such worldly regard and the poor and insignificant children are dismissed like yesterdays newspaper.
She is not just one of 'India's daughters' She is one of the Worlds daughters...She is one of my daughters...and she is one of yours.

This woman is one of life's real heroes, in my opinion she deserves a nobel prize for helping India's sex-trafficked children. She has seen first hand..the destruction of children's raped bodies...please check out her website and help her.
http://www.prajwalaindia.com/home.html
And see her TED talks here-
http://www.ted.com/talks/sunitha_krishnan_tedindia

0 Comments

Children who have become invisible - In plain sight

3/6/2015

0 Comments

I cannot understand these cases of missed opportunities when the evidence of child neglect and abuse is so explicit and blatant. Not just to the professional agencies involved, but to any layman with a heart, a conscience and an ounce of good sense.

The horrific death of a little boy

Hamzah Khan was a four year old child who was starved to death by his mother- Amanda Hutton. His remains were mummified, mouldy and swarming with insects when police discovered them in September 2011. Though aged four and a half at the time of his death, Hamzah was so malnourished that he was wearing a baby-grow meant for a baby no older than nine months. Five children aged between five and 11 were found by police when they searched the house. Bradford crown court heard that the children were malnourished, with head lice and fungal infections in their nails. Some were wearing nappies despite being of school age, and appeared to crawl upstairs using their hands rather than walking.During a trial, it emerged a number of agencies, including West Yorkshire Police, had contact with the Hutton family but no-one spotted the danger the children were in. Amanda Hutton was charged with manslaughter and sentenced to fifteen years. During a trial, it emerged a number of agencies, including West Yorkshire Police, had contact with the Hutton family but no-one spotted the danger the children were in.
Amanda Hutton sentenced to 15 years

My thoughts on this horrific case

Amanda Hutton was an alcoholic, drug user and a victim of partner violence. She was obviously dysfunctional and had mental issues. She had met Aftab Khan when she was sixteen and although he was violent to her, she went on to have eight children with him. Records of domestic violence dated back to 1996, but until 2008 Hutton had withdrawn every complaint. Hutton moved house after Khan attacked her and her oldest son in December 2008. Khan eventually pleaded guilty to one charge of battery after Hutton appeared in court to give evidence against him.

Regardless of Huttons partner abuse, alcohol and drug dependency. Hutton was completely responsible for the neglect and abuse of all her children and the death of Hamzah. But not solely responsible. Every adult who had contact with both Hutton and her children were collectively responsible. For they enabled this shocking neglect and abuse to continue in plain sight. The lack of protection and intervention by professionals was both inexcusable and culpable. And those individuals involved in cases such as these - Should be held accountable. Interviews, findings and reports should be made available of thorough and transparent explanations- As to why lack of communication between agencies, intervention and prevention failed these most vulnerable and severely abused children. Are we forever going to hear press releases stating 'Lessons will be learned'?

There were three primary factors in this particular case that should of warranted immediate intervention that could of saved Hamzah's life.

1. The partner abuse

Partner abuse that takes place in the presence of children should be dealt with both seriously and swiftly. A violent male that physically assaults the mother within the family, should be immediately removed. Regardless as to whether he has physically assaulted any children present.(Although partner abuse often goes hand in hand with other abuses) The psychological harm and trauma experienced by the child/children caused by witnessing such violence can be devastating and incredibly detrimental. These children need access to protection, safety and PTSD therapy - As should the mother.

2. Drug and Alcohol abuse by a parent

A parent who abuses either drugs/Alcohol or both is not a fit parent, regardless of any underlying causes of their addiction. If they are under the influence of these substances, then they are incapacitated, physically, mentally and emotionally. If It is illegal for drivers of vehicles to be under the influence of these substances for good reason, then why not the parents of children? Intervention should be immediate, with therapies and continuous monitoring of parent/s substance abuse. If the parent/s do not comply with mandatory testing and therapy, then they are unfit, incapable and too irresponsible to parent a child.

3. Detrimental home environment

One of the obvious signs (Not always the case) of child neglect is the appalling,insanitary and squalid conditions of the home of the child/children. (This includes the child's personal hygiene and clothing.) A good parent will ensure that both their child and it's environment are clean and hygienic. Which is a basic intuitive and protective behaviour that is imperative to the child's welfare. This behaviour is present in most animals, in order to protect their young from diseases, harmful microbes and parasitic infections. If this basic protective necessity is not implemented within the home environment. Then there has to be an underlying cause, such as substance abuse, mental disorders or a psychopathy where a parent is incapable or devoid of the love, care and respect of their child.[Please see images of Hamzah's home on top news link]

'Children have become invisible In plain sight - When they should be prominent in the darkest of corners.'

Suzzan Blac 2015

0 Comments

Children first, last and always

A child of no consequence

Children who have become invisible - In plain sight

Author

Archives

Categories