Take Control

Since there is no safety anywhere, it is time to take matters into our own hands. Who is to blame for the outcomes? Is it the government or the public? Or maybe both; We're supposed to cooperate, hold each other accountable, and encourage each other, but this hasn't happened in years. Citizens, operators, children, and even animals appear to be without protection. Violence has grown prevalent, and voices of the people are being ignored. I tend to question the government's intentions because they have the means and opportunity to prevent many issues, but instead do the complete opposite. It appears that basic human rights are being slowly but steadily taken away from us.

They blame violence on mental illness, claiming that there are so many sick people on the streets, which I agree with, but let's not put the entire burden on mental illness. The truth is that many people who suffer from mental illnesses are not violent. People believe that we should avoid them at all costs and that there is no way to help someone who has one, but this is not the case. How are you assisting those who are in need? Is high-quality service available to everyone? If so, is it affordable? Are there enough providers to help these people? Stop blaming mental illness for bad behavior; they knew exactly what they were doing because that was their intention. In such a circumstance, they are entitled to the consequences of their conscious decisions.

Let's talk about gun violence and how people tend to blame the guns, rather than the person who pulls the trigger. People no longer use their words or even their fists; instead, they reach for a gun. It's as easy as heading into your local Footlocker and buying a pair of sneakers to get your hands on a gun. They frequently end up in the wrong hands, whether they obtain them legitimately or illegally. Innocent people are being injured because of errant gunfire. A traumatized person suffering from life circumstances and cowardice believes that letting a few rounds fly will give them a sense of strength. They often claim that having access to a firearm is the common denominator in every firearm-related death or injury, which appears plausible, but there are several complex elements that aren't being addressed. Even though gun-related crime is on the rise, we must approach these circumstances with an open mind. Yes, gun control is necessary, yes, the age to acquire a handgun should be raised, yes, you should have a permit to carry a firearm, but a huge part of this is the reality that a lot of these violent crimes start with people who have a long criminal record and are repeat offenders.

We've received numerous reports of guns being purchased illegally from other states, and in some cases, the suspect was under surveillance prior to the bust, giving them extra time to carry and sell illegal firearms. Why have you been waiting so long? Why should we allow it? And why are you letting them free before they finish their sentences if they are caught? So many questions, so few answers, but I feel we've gotten them and must now act. To eliminate or reduce gun violence, the criminal justice system must be improved. If you know how illegal guns are getting into the city and have a strategy and the means to stop them, why penalize and prohibit law-abiding citizens from strolling into their nearest gun store to lawfully obtain handguns to protect themselves? Will Stop and Frisk be reinstated? Will you change the bail reform law so that these criminals serve the time they deserve in prison?

All forms of violence are perpetrated against citizens who are unable to protect themselves due to laws that prevent them from doing so. Due to a lack of emotional intelligence and an inability to handle a simple "no," some men do harm to women. Our bus and train operators are being assaulted as they try to transport us to and from our destinations safely; some of our citizens are being pushed into the train tracks at random; our delivery men and women are being shot or threatened if there is something wrong with their order. At any given time, innocent hardworking people are robbed or assaulted with knives, often in broad daylight; schools, supermarkets, movie theaters, malls, churches, spas, trains, bodegas, graduations, and funerals, among other places, are targeted. What became of humanity? Where is the compassion and love? Where is the assistance?

Finally, when criminals are apprehended, many citizens jump for joy, but they are celebrating a false victory. The issue is that many of the criminals get released even though it is usually not their first offense. You could then question why they were allowed to roam the streets freely instead of serving their sentences. Please make that make sense. I say start standing firm in what you believe and be the change you want to see. Many things would change if more people recognized we are the ones with the power. But, for it to happen, there must be unity.

Children's Rights: Everything You Need to Know

The Declaration of the Rights of the Child, which defines children's rights to protection, education, health care, shelter, and proper nourishment, was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1959. The Convention on the Rights of the Child describes a child as a person, a member of the family and community, with age and developmentally appropriate rights and obligations. The Convention firmly emphasizes the focus on the overall child by recognizing children's rights in this way.

Children's rights are a subset of human rights that deal specifically with the protection and care that children are entitled to. Children's rights are vital since they apply to their survival, development, and protection against abuse, neglect, and exploitation, as well as their right to participate in familial, cultural, and social life. People often forget that children are individuals, with the same basic human rights as adults, as well as additional rights that recognize their special needs. Parents, children are not your property or helpless objects, they are human beings who have their own set of rights!

We recognize the need, but what is the government doing to ensure that children's rights are respected in the United States? Consider all the children who have been separated from their families and have been trafficked or died because of this president's negligence to the border crisis. I'm simply highlighting border policies that facilitate human trafficking, which includes both adults and children. While some countries' constitutions have sections dedicated to children's rights, the United States continues to struggle to prove that it cares for and protects its children. The United States has a long way to go in terms of strengthening and safeguarding children's access to their rights. According to the UAB human rights center, the United States has been complicit in the violation of many children's rights. Children have suffered and continue to live in poverty, with parents who lack job security, some who do not attend school, and others who do not receive adequate judicial retribution.

It's April 2022, and all I've heard and seen are news of children being murdered or seriously hurt. Children of all ages are being murdered by other children, and court systems are failing to protect children by keeping them with unstable caregivers and in abusive homes. Yes, I understand that if a child-protective agency has reasonable cause, they can file a petition with the Family Court to have assistance in the child's protection. The problem with judicial system is that they may not allow children to express their choices, instead making decisions for them or pressuring them into making a specific option. In some circumstances, the judge is on the side of the parent, and the child is returned to the parent. I realize that the goal is to reunite the child with his or her family, but what happens if there is sufficient evidence that the child cannot thrive in this environment? How can you be sure you're making the best choice for the child? Who says you must make that choice? Why not inquire as to what the child desires? Let's face it, they're the ones who must deal with the consequences of your decision. As a social worker who has worked in the foster care system, I've seen countless examples where this has occurred, and cases like these make my mind spin.

Let's face it, some of these agencies have poor service quality; you have some staff who care and want to help, and others who are burned out and don't. The process is shaky, and children are sometimes put with foster parents who are not always looking out for their best interests. Adult figures in these children’s’ lives, such as teachers, mentors, tutors, and care providers, see them daily and can detect when a child is being mistreated but refuse to report it.

So, what can we do to help protect children's rights in the United States? What are some approaches to improving children's access to their rights? Sponsoring a child, adopting a child, becoming a foster parent, donating, and praying are all obvious possibilities, but it’s not enough. Donating and sponsoring children has been polluted by greed and dishonesty, making it difficult for people to give because they have no idea where the money is going. To be honest, it's tough to say; we need more petitions, groups, and compassionate and sincere people to speak up.

Finally, I'd want to leave you with a quote from the world vison, “we believe every child deserves a childhood, surrounded by protective families and communities, free from violence, and with the opportunity to thrive and the experience the abundant life god promised.”

Protecting Our Youth

Child Abuse Prevention is being observed this month. Child abuse is a national tragedy that kills three children every day and affects millions of children and families each year, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. It's critical that we all work together to form and support families so that tragedies like this don't happen all the time; in fact, tragedies like this shouldn't happen at all.

The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) was signed into law on January 31st, 1974, and is the most important federal law addressing child abuse and neglect. The goal of CAPTA is to provide comprehensive care to child abuse victims and future victims by integrating services from several agencies, including legal, educational, mental health, and social service organizations. The following is a breakdown of the Child Abuse and Prevention Treatment Act's definition of abuse and neglect:

• Neglect is defined as failing to meet a child's basic needs.

• Neglect can be physical, mental, or financial (e.g., lack of appropriate supervision or failure to provide necessary food, shelter, or medical care).

• Emotional (for example, ignoring a child's emotional needs or exposing a child to domestic abuse).

• Educational (e.g., failure to educate a child or attend to special education needs).

Brain damage, developmental delays, learning disabilities, relationship issues, violent behavior, and depression have all been related to abuse and neglect. Survivors of child abuse and neglect are more likely to face problems later in life, such as poor academic performance, drug use, teen pregnancy, and criminal activity, all of which impact not only the kid and family but society as well. Let's pause for a moment and dissect that. Even though the social cost may be minimal in comparison to an individual's traumatic experience, it's important to remember that abuse has long-reaching effects that extend well beyond the homes where it occurs.

The Administration for Children and Families is committed to assisting families by promoting policies that strengthen marriage and assist parents in raising their children in a happy and healthy environment. It's 2022, and I've been asking myself the same questions for the past few years since despite all the policies and resources in place, child abuse and neglect continue to be a global issue. Who is fighting for these children? Who is helping these kids? Who's protecting these kids? So, what can we do as a country to assist prevent child abuse and neglect? They go into detail in the community resource packet, titled "Gateways to Prevention," identifying ways that individuals can help increase awareness and techniques that can be implemented. The following items are listed:

• Child Abuse Prevention Overview: Definitions and statistics on child abuse and neglect are provided, as well as an overview of why prevention is so important in dealing with the issue.

• What Organizations Can Do: They can suggest activities and materials for preventing child abuse, as well as resources for dealing with the media.

• What Individuals Can Do: Provide information on how to prevent child abuse and neglect, how to spot and report suspected maltreatment, and parenting tips.

• Resource Directories: Provide information on national organizations that are working to prevent child abuse in conjunction with their state and local chapters, as well as organizations that can provide technical assistance.

• Posters: These strategies are listed to help people better understand their role in preventing child abuse.

The four fundamental categories of childhood abuse are neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse. While each of the categories might be experienced independently, they are witnessed together. I'd like you to realize that both boys and girls are as vulnerable to abuse and neglect. Children of all races and ethnicities are affected by child abuse. Many people believe that domestic violence just affects women, but it also impacts men.

According to statistics from the domestic violence hotline database, domestic abuse not only affects a child's mental health but also affects their ability to focus and learn in school. In these children's life, failure to achieve in school might lead to even more significant issues. Even if a child is not directly harmed, he or she will be exposed to domestic violence in the family. They are still affected by the scenario's stress. Children who witness domestic abuse experience increased tension, worry, and emotional challenges.

“Abused women are 70 percent more likely to get heart disease, 80 percent more likely to have a stroke, and 60 percent more likely to develop asthma," according to the report. These health problems add to survivors' misery while also putting additional strain on the healthcare system. According to the CDC, the cost of healthcare can reach more than $4.1 billion, yet some of that money is lost in lost productivity owing to injuries and premature mortality. Here are some ideas for what we can do as a society:

• We need to invest more into after-school programs and facilities with crisis workers, counselors, therapists, and mental health care workers who can provide a safe refuge for children who are being harmed at home.

• We need to invest more in parent education programs, and in some situations, parents who have proved that they are unsuitable to the parent or have children in the home should be obliged to attend. We should make it mandatory rather than providing individuals the option to participate in these programs.

• More mentorship and respite care programs are needed to educate children about healthy boundaries, how to recognize trustworthy adults, how to check with others before doing something, body limits, and how to express themselves!

For the love of Christ, we as a people should use our voices for good and support these initiatives in our communities; children, too, need to be taught about their rights. Why not make programs and services that will keep our children safe mandatory, just as you were able to make wearing a mask or taking a vaccine mandatory? Enough is enough; the children must be protected.