"Shh Don't Tell"

2Samuel 13:20

 

 

20And Absalom her brother said to her, "Has Amnon your brother been with you? But now hold your peace, my sister. He is your brother; do not take this thing to heart."

 

Unfortunately, Absalom's response to Tamar being sexually violated is the same response many give to children who have been violated. The reputation of the violator and those around become more important then the child who was violated. As a matter of fact, many acts of child abuse go unreported which is why the statistics are still slightly off. The 1 in 10 to be abused is likely to be less than 10. But many children are shamed into keeping silent like poor Tamar who was raped by her brother.  The Christian church (the people are the church) is just as guilty for not handling or touching the subject of child abuse as well. Counseling is a must from both a spiritual prospective and a psychological one. There are many problems that occur after abuse that people fail to talk about or even see. For Tamar, she lost her innocence and can never get it back. Every child who has been abused has somehow lost their innocence and can't get it back. School will be starting soon. Neighborhood football, basketball, swim, soccer teams will be forming. Do you know what signs to look for? Do you know the behavioral changes that can occur in your child after abuse? Do you know what to do if you find out your child has been violated? Or will you just respond like Absalom and be more concerned with keeping a reputation rather than the safety and well-being of the one whom God entrusted to you? Be informed. Shh Don't Tell are the words every child hears while they are being violated regardless of who is hurting them. In their quest to get help, please don't let them hear it from you.

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"Shh Don't Tell"  by Joy T.J. Riley