Judging by the constant reports about children being abused in various ways, there is no denying that society and leadership today is failing our vulnerable youth.
On a daily basis we are being made aware by social workers, police and the courts of travesties against children – be it in the classroom where schools leave them flailing without proper support, or being left in the lurch when they need it most by social structures meant to protect them when they are beaten, raped and abused at home.
Predators are taking advantage of broken homes and under-facilitated places of safety.
In most cases, disadvantaged children report to nobody and are left to fend for themselves for a large part of their lives.
Desperate parents are essentially outsourcing their children to friends and relatives who have little emotional or financial means of supporting them.
They do this because they are forced to work far from home in order to secure what little jobs there are.
But by ignoring what is happening to this generation, we are shooting ourselves in the foot.
They are the future of this country and we are setting ourselves up for a future run by adults who have no concept of the family dynamic, personal safety, the benefit of loving relationships and who have, by circumstances, developed apathy towards crime and violence.
We have to fortify those who stand against these travesties.
Support organisations who facilitate child care and counselling, vote for the councillors who will fight for the rights of children.
Everyone wants this to stop, and it must stop, so we need to make sure we are not adding to the problem by turning a blind eye to abuse and neglect.
We can turn the tide if we all get to work and become the childrens’ voice.
We have to, for the future of this country.
