Speaking out against abuse Often when a someone is being abused it is not just the abuse that makes them suffer its also the frustration of not being able to stop it. They will never stop it because these are often the people who have never told anyone about it. "Suffering in silence is the worst thing to do when it comes to abuse," says Nigel a solicitor who spends much of his time fighting for justice in the courts, "if you don’t tell anybody you are stopping all chances of it being stopped". He went on to say there are many people that can be told and they will help you. Teachers, Tutors, Doctors, Solicitors, Police and the Social Services are just a few types of people you can tell. All the above are inclined to tell authorities which would step in and stop it from happening. The main thing that stops a person from talking is the fear that it will split up the family. Nigel explained to me that if the abuse is within that family, then it will always have an effect on the family. Often the child is taken and put into a better environment or often the person committing the crime is put behind bars. This is a barrier, which all victims of abuse have to pass. If you are unlucky enough to find yourself a victim it can be very hard for you to decide which road you want to go down. But during your decision I truly hope that you remember this point: You are the only one who can decide if it stops, in order for it to stop YOU MUST TELL SOME ONE!  It can be very hard for you to tell somebody so here are some organisations, which are there to help you with your decision. They also have many trained councillors, which are there to listen to you:
Useful Organisations: : FREEPHONE 0800 1111
(Freepost 1111 London N1 0BR) NSPCC child protection help line: FREEPHONE 0800 800 500 4 2
(Curtain Road, London EC2A 2NH) Independent Representation for Children in need: 0151 342 7852
(1 Downham Road South, Heswall, Wirral, Merseyside, L60 5RG ) The Advocacy Unit, The Children’s Society: 01222 396974
14 Cathedral Road, Cardiff, CF1 9LJ Legal Advise: (your library should tell you where the nearest one is) Law Society Children Panel 0171 242 1222
The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London WC2A 1PL Children’s Legal Centre 01206 873820 (Open 2pm-5pm Mondays to Fridays)
University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, Essex CO4 3SQ
Rosanna
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