The American Medical News reports that after nine years, the American Medical Board of Pediatrics is FINALLY offering a specialty in the treatment of child abuse. We as a society owe a debt to the late pediatrician and educator, Dr. Ray Helfer, who devoted his life to the developing methods of detecting child abuse, treating and preventing it. Others have kept Dr. Helfer’s spirit and work alive on as The Helfer Society.
As a child abuse survivor, I personally feel a huge debt to anyone who works towards these goals. I know the depths of damage it does to one’s soul and how that damage plays out in one’s life throughout their lifetime. I try to show the depth and complexity of the multitude of issues within my child abuse stories. There is something healing within, just to know there will now be doctors who now specialize in child abuse. Thank you to each and every one who cares enough to make this your specialty. May you be blessed with knowing how important your work is and the difference you are making in the lives of children and society. Next January 2010, the first doctors will hold certificates in the specialty of child abuse. I wish I could shake each and every one of their hands.
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I being a child abuse survivor i don’t like the idea of there being a specialist for child abuse, by saying that it makes it sound like child abuse is a disease that can be prevented unfortunately you will never be able to stop child abuse or abuse fullstop as it start at the source the abuser. You can’t spot people who are being abused as they are scared and don’t want to be spotted in fear and in some cases denial. people who suffer abuse don’t need a doctor to “CURE” them they need help to be understood not disregarded and if you spot someone being abuse or know of it to report it or do something about it i know from experience that people who haven’t suffered abuse don’t understand and think nothing of it as it doesn’t concern them and it can’t be that bad or why don’t they just leave!!!! when they have no idea!!!
Cleo,
I’m so sorry for your suffering. It sounds like you are in a very painful place. Please know life can get better. I agree with you about most people not understanding, and therefore not really caring. BUT I want you to know there are people out there who do care and understand. As survivors, our job is to find those people and surround ourselves with them. There are survivor communities filled with people who do understand and know what we are going through. I hope you reach out. One resource I recommend is We are Adult Survivors of Child Abuse. Another great resource is Zen Tactics, which offers a range of tools for survivors.
I also agree one cannot spot children who are being abused just by looking at them, however I assure you there are physical and psychological flags. A doctor that has been trained in child abuse will most likely be able to tell if the child’s injury matches the parent’s explanation. The specialty is not to “cure” anyone, but to identify when abuse is happening. When I was little, my arm was pulled out of joint. The doctors just cautioned my mother to be more careful with me. You have to yank pretty hard to pull an arm out of joint.
I’m glad you felt safe enough to share your feelings. Know you are not alone and there are people out there that do care. I care. You are welcome to post your feelings and thoughts here anytime. – Lindagail
Thanks, i don’t think the adult survivor of child abuse would be useful as i’m 16 so not really and adult. But i just wanted to ask what you ment by communities of people who have been by abuse as i have never heard of anything like that?
thanks
By “Communities of people who have been abused,” I mean web sites where people can learn about issues pertaining to the aftermath of child abuse, post what they are going through and give and receive support from one another, such as the ones mentioned above. At 16, no your not yet an adult, but it sounds like you are a survivor, so I wouldn’t let that stop you from reaching out to communities that can offer you support.