Speak up for the Youth!

Growing up and maturing from a child to an adult should be the most exciting time in your life from riding your first bike, tying your first shoe, recieving honor roll, buying your first car, going to prom, graduating from high school etc. Most children have the chance to live a normal life and do most of the things they want to do in life, but some are not most fortunate and have to learn about the dark sides of life first.
They say real parenting starts at home, but everyone that has a child isn't specifically a parent if they abuse their kids by words and violence. Child abuse is common in the world, but the majority of cases are unrecognized and go about unheard. Each week child protective services agencies report more than 50,000 cases. Imagine how many cases aren't reported for so many reasons such as "the threat treatment" where the parent or gaurdian tells the child not to tell anyone of their doing and offers him/her an incentive or threat to keep a secret. Also fear, doubt, anxiety, the list goes on; child abuse is a very dangerous tool that can damage a child. Sometimes it can trigger from problems with the parent or gaurdian such as alcohol abuse, drugs, problems with spouse, mental or physical disorder or even a past childhood experience.
At the suttle age of eight my mother passed away leaving me and my father who was not capable of raising me due to a metal disorder developed from a past experience with alcohol and drugs. He decided that it was best for me to live with his sister. At first everything was fine until I turned 10, thats when my whole life changed for the worst. She would constantly discourage me from any activity wether it dealt with school or the community and forbid me to join any clubs, play outside and hang out with my friends. Her dislike for my mother caused her to put me down and call me names for no reason.
Everyday after school I would have to come straight home and go in my room and sit in a corner until it was time to go to bed. Finally when I turned 15 I decided enough was enough and left to live with my mothers sister. Ever since I have been happy and living a normal life helping out in my community and mentoring to children and teens my age. My idea for the future is to create a center for children or teens dealing with abuse to go and talk to somewon about what they are going through. They can remain any anonymous, just as long as they are honest. The service will also provide counseling and help including a place to stay overnight until their situation is resolved. Abuse is not right either way it goes and wether it is said or done it needs to be stopped!