I find it hard to understand......

[louise90]

I once read a book by Dave Pelzer called 'A Child Called It'. It was a horrific story of a young lad who was mentally & physically abused by his mother. At the time (in the 70's) his case was the 3rd worst child abuse case in Californian history.

And just recently I have read a book by Dave's brother, Richard Pelzer. You see, their mother focused on Dave. But when Dave was taken into care, she then started on Richard.

I wonder how this could've gone on for so long. Even once Dave had gone into care, surely the authorities must then have been aware of what she was capable of doing to her own children? Nowadays I can't imagine this happening for any length of time. Did people just used to sweep this under the carpet back then? Or were people just too scared to do anything?

[glow=red,2,300]Louise[/glow]

[Mark]

I don't know Louise, I suppose there are different reasons for something like this not to come to light. It's a disgrace, that's for sure, but I must confess to ignorance concerning the case. I do know, however, that often the child will him/herself be afraid to say anything because the perpetrator threatened harm to him/her or their parents. However it happened, though, it is indeed sad that it did.

[Maria]

I am sure awful things happened in the past but simply were not publicized or reported. For instance, mental illness was never discussed and people were locked away in an attic or some far away place. Also if a woman was raped, the court system treated her not as a victim but as a person 'having asked' to be assaulted.

I too read Dave Pelzer called 'A Child Called It'. Very disturbing. I think such happenings have contributed to schools and other organization being over cautious about somethings and having to report suspicions to the police. Sometimes we all get a little too "Politically Correct" OF course that leads to kids telling their parents that if they are punished they will call the cops and report them. Life is so much more complicated today. Where has innocence gone?

[sandy]

There never really was any innocence. The abuse was so well hidden and conveniently not see by outsiders. We have a larger population today so therefore a larger amount of abuse.We also are now talking about it and trying to enforce laws against it but still we hear of only a fraction of the abuse taking place. I sound like a doomsdayer. I'm not I have faith in my fellow man but I am realistic.

[Dabbit]

I have read the book just can't remember too much about it...

[Fluffy]

I actually can't read it...my insides curl up and I feel physically sick. I just can't bring myself to
do it.

[Dabbit]

Oh jane I've just noted your bunny is 'nibbling'

[Mark]

Doggone right, Dabbit. I spend most evenings cleaning out its cage. ;D

[Maria]

I use to have two bunnies that had the run of the house, along with my two dogs, gerbils, fish, and parakeets. The bunnies were kitty litter trained and really sweet. However, I could never get them to stop nibbling on the electric wires. I am now down to just two cats.

[Mark]

Here are a couple of pertinent websites - I'll post them elsewhere as well:

SexCriminals.Com      A wealth of information
FamilyWatchdog.US   Registered sex offenders by location - mapped