A child’s vulnerability makes minding the neighbour’s business necessary
CHILDREN are in dire need of protection. If it is not abusive parents, then it is abusive caregivers. If it is not paedophiles, it is the organ harvesting kidnapper. Cruelty to young, defenceless children are on the rise. Only some weeks back a little boy died at the hands of an abusive, drug addict father. More recently a little boy was physically abused to death by his mother’s boyfriend. The toddler’s sibling was so badly beaten she is now in hospital in a critical condition.
Children are abandoned. Newborn babies are left to die. Many others are missing and now research has shown that there is a black market for babies in this country. Then there is the case of the British paedophile, who preyed on economically disadvantaged children. Apparently, he is not alone. Incest is another form of sexual abuse. The list and nature of child abuse is long and very tragic, not confined to race, religion or economic circumstances. Statistics, beginning with that for 2006, showed that child abuse has been on the increase with a notable spike in 2011. The United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) reported that in 2008, an average of seven children were abused every day in this country, and over time, the figures have worsened. Given that the implications on the victim is long term, there is an urgent need to control the problem, if not eliminate it altogether. For, abused children grow up into psychologically disturbed adults and turn to a life of crime. Others may repeat the cycle of violence on their own children.
It cannot be understated how much vigilance on the part of society can help to prevent abuse. While the welfare of children was once considered a domestic affair, that is no longer the case. Laws are in place to protect children. Nevertheless, a child is captive of his or her own vulnerability; a law of nature that has left these unfortunate innocents at the mercy of parents and guardians. Most adults are responsible, but there are some who should neither be parenting nor be a guardian. In this instance, the immediate community must bear some responsibility for every child within the vicinity. The “mind your own business” mindset should not be applicable when a child’s welfare and physical wellbeing is at risk.
The “busybodies” of old come into their own under these circumstances. To expect a social worker to be able to detect every child at risk is to live in a fool’s paradise. And to believe that abusive adults can come to their senses without external pressure is retarded. With child abuse, more than any other evil, being the eyes and ears of the authorities is imperative. Neighbours must report even the smallest suspicion of child abuse to the Welfare Department or the police before it is too late. The assumption here is simple: unlike adults, the victim in this instance is always helpless. The “busybody brigade” then is the only immediate prevention mechanism available to society.