The House of Shalom
CRISIS RESPITE CENTRE
Can we blind our eyes to the horrible realities of child abuse?
These images are real and everyday occurrences in our society.
Help us to prevent this as we endeavour to establish our home.
Australia has had horrific media reports of death, neglect and abuse of innocent babies and children. This kind of treatment is appalling in to-days society.
For the past 18 months our church Cross Roads Ministries has been endeavouring to establish a respite Centre for babies and children to be used by parents who need a break.
Many are under pressure and this is when they are most vulnerable and at risk of abusing their children.
To be able to provide a safe nurturing environment so that a parent /parents would feel comfortable about leaving their children so they can have time to themselves.
To be able to assist parents with mothercraft skills, budgeting and family care. These parents are in desperate need of help.
We need financial assistance to be able to supply suitable building ASAP to meet the increasing demand for help.
We will be working with accredited agencies to run the facility.
Abuse statistics:
Early Childhood Australia report 2006.
The incidence of child abuse is worsening. An Australian child is found harmed or likely to be harmed every 11 minutes.
An AIHW Report revealed that sole parents are more likely to have low incomes or be financially stressed; be socially isolated; or have less support from immediate family. These are all factors that have been associated with child abuse and neglect.
The 2009/2010 figures showed 286,437reported cases of child abuse.
NSW accounts for half the reports, and have found a rise in the number of baby attacks from shaken baby syndrome and sexual abuse.
It is estimated that an offence is reported in NSW at a rate of around 58 a day and sadly hundreds more are not known of.
My name is Sarah,
I am but three,
My eyes are swollen,
I cannot see.
I must be stupid,
I must be bad,
What else could have made,
My daddy so mad?
I wish I were better,
I wish I weren't ugly,
Then maybe my Mommy,
Would still want to hug me.
I can't speak at all,
I can't do a wrong,
Or else I'm locked up,
All the day long.
When I awake I'm all alone,
The house is dark,
My folks aren't home.
When my Mommy does come,
I'll try and be nice,
So maybe I'll get just,
One whipping tonight.
Don't make a sound!
I just heard a car,
My daddy is back,
From Charlie's Bar.
I hear him curse,
My name he calls,
I press myself,
Against the wall.
I try and hide,
From his evil eyes,
I'm so afraid now,
I'm starting to cry.
He finds me weeping,
He shouts ugly words,
He says its my fault,
That he suffers at work.
He slaps me and hits me,
And yells at me more,
I finally get free,
And I run for the door.
He's already locked it,
And I start to bawl,
He takes me and throws me,
Against the hard wall.
I fall to the floor,
With my bones nearly broken,
And my daddy continues,
With more bad words spoken.
'I'm sorry!' I scream,
But its now much too late,
His face has been twisted,
Into unimaginable hate.
The hurt and the pain,
Again and again,
Oh please God, have mercy!
Oh please let it end!
And he finally stops,
And heads for the door,
While I lay there motionless,
Sprawled on the floor.
My name is Sarah,
And I am but three,
Tonight my daddy,
Murdered me.