Preventing child sexual abuse By Jenna (.:BreakingBeautifully:.) One in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused before they turn 18. These staggering statistics may leave you wondering what you can do to help children who might fall prey to child sexual abuse. Most people are aware that child sexual abuse occurs, but are unaware of the steps they can take to try and help prevent it, which leaves them with a sense of hopelessness. Many people cling to the idea that the main...

Abusive Relationships By Ashley (Wonderbread) Abusive relationships are something that can affect us whether we are sixteen or sixty. It is important to remember that while abuse can be physical, it can also be mental, emotional, or sexual. Abuse affects both men and women, but no one has to remain in an abusive relationship. Being aware of the signs of an abusive relationship can help you to know when enough is enough, and to leave or ask for help. Definitions of the different types...

The cycle of domestic violence By Brittany (Aspire.) Overview of domestic abuse Every eighteen seconds, an act of domestic violence occurs. Although the common assumption is that it’s only women who are abused, that’s purely a myth. Domestic violence does not discriminate. Victims can be any age, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or social status. While most people think that it’s easy to recognize abuse, the cycle of domestic violence is frequently overlooked. This generally...

Date rape drugs: What are they? By Britt (Le bonheur*) Sometimes rape or sexual assault is assisted by drugs that are slipped into a drink when you’re not looking. Most of the drugs do not have a specific taste, color, or smell. Therefore, it’s very difficult to determine if your drink has been drugged before you take another sip. There are three well-known drugs that are commonly used: Rohypnol, Gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), and Ketamine. Rohypnol Rohypnol (roofies) is a...

Recognizing signs of an abusive relationship By Barbara (Unbreakable♥) When most people think of abusive relationships, they think of physical abuse: the kind that is portrayed in movies or books or even the news. What they don’t realize is that there are different types of abusive relationships, some of which can be a lot less obvious. This happens more often than you would think, especially with teenagers (1 in 4 teenage girls deal with repeated verbal abuse). They may think,...

Protecting yourself from abusive individuals By Robin (PSY) Most of us have been confronted by another person, either physically or verbally. As scary as those moments can be, the events following the confrontation can be even more frightening. What do you do when someone continuously harasses or threatens you? Is there anything you can do to stop your abuser, even if they haven't physically harmed you? The simple answer is yes! There are several steps you can take to make someone ...

Article featured in Avatar - Volume 1, Issue 12 (May 2008). Seeking Support by St@rG@zer I have been with TeenHelp under various user names since 2005, and I have been a member of TeenHelp's wonderful staff in the past. While being around I have noticed something about rape victims that I'd like to share. I would also like to raise awareness, raise confidence and offer support information for rape victims who use or are guests TeenHelp. I have an older sister who was brutally and...

Having Unfair Expectations of the Child We Once Were By CanadaCraig If you were abused in some way when you were a child - that abuse was being understood by you AS a child. And if you are now 15 years old it is UNFAIR of you to try to apply your 'adult logic' to what you went through as a child. But we do that all the time. And we have no right to do that. But worse than that - we often shame the child we once were - and blame them for 'things' that are NOT THEIR FAULT. "I should...

Article featured in Avatar - Volume 1, Issue 9 (February 2008). Abuse by .Infinity. (Mel) Abuse is one of the most common heard terms around the world these days. We hear about it in television, from people we know, and most of all on the Internet. To abuse or mistreat something or someone is a very unlawful act, one which usually has horrible results. Though many things can be abused or mistreated, the main target for such a thing is usually children. Whether the child is young,...

Forgiving an Abuser By Ellie You may feel ready to forgive your abuser now, or you may feel as though you should read through this article. Leave and think about it for awhile, and come back when you're ready. Whether or not you forgive your abuser is your choice; there is no obligation. This is part of your personal recovery; though you may not have felt in control whilst you were in the abusive situation, you are in control now. This article will provide some steps to deal with what...