Opinons about Facebook profile pictures and child abuse?

[Guest guest]

Some of you may not have facebook, but the newest incentive is to have everyone

change their profile picture to a picture of a cartoon character from their

childhood. I guess the goal is to promote child abuse awareness.

I don't know about anyone else but this kid of bothers me. Everyone is jumping

on this bandwagon and now everyone has a picture of spongebob, or doug funny, or

ren and stimpy. But my question to these people are what are you actually doing

to help or prevent it?

In this group, we are all children who have been victims of abuse here in one

way or another. We know what it's like, and we know people know it exists. I

feel like people are just excited to google image their favorite cartoon

character and make it their picture!

And I don't have these opinons without backing it up. I've worked and interned

in Massachusetts for three years now. I interned with boys ages 10-12 in a

locked down residential unit, these boys mostly coming from abuse, neglect and

removed from the home by DCF. Then I moved on to work with women and children in

a domestic violence center, trying desperately to protect these families from

their abusers. I am now working in a group home now for adult women with severe

trauma histories from childhood.

Anyone else DOING something rather than putting up a picture and claiming you

are???

Sorry for the rant!

- Kate

[Guest guest]

I feel the same way about it and have not changed my profile pic. I

just wanted to let you are not alone in feeling that way.

>

> Some of you may not have facebook, but the newest incentive is to have

everyone change their profile picture to a picture of a cartoon character from

their childhood. I guess the goal is to promote child abuse awareness.

>

> I don't know about anyone else but this kid of bothers me. Everyone is jumping

on this bandwagon and now everyone has a picture of spongebob, or doug funny, or

ren and stimpy. But my question to these people are what are you actually doing

to help or prevent it?

>

> In this group, we are all children who have been victims of abuse here in one

way or another. We know what it's like, and we know people know it exists. I

feel like people are just excited to google image their favorite cartoon

character and make it their picture!

>

> And I don't have these opinons without backing it up. I've worked and interned

in Massachusetts for three years now. I interned with boys ages 10-12 in a

locked down residential unit, these boys mostly coming from abuse, neglect and

removed from the home by DCF. Then I moved on to work with women and children in

a domestic violence center, trying desperately to protect these families from

their abusers. I am now working in a group home now for adult women with severe

trauma histories from childhood.

>

> Anyone else DOING something rather than putting up a picture and claiming you

are???

>

> Sorry for the rant!

> - Kate

>

[Guest guest]

I can see your point and I have also wondered what people do to fight breast

cancer when they change their FB pic to pink. Maybe it's just to put it in

people's minds, though? Like a reminder that kids are being abused out there,

say an extra prayer, send some good thoughts to the universe, or whatever it is

that you believe in and however you communicate with a higher power...or maybe

donate some money to your local child abuse prevention organization.

I could say I've done my duty (I adopted two abused children foster care), but

then it sounds all braggy and obnoxious so I don't mention it to many people. I

can write it here since you all understand I don't say that to be over the top.

This year, my kids are giving one gift that they wanted for Christmas to a child

on an angel tree from our local child protective services. It's nothing huge,

but I would like to think it helps and it goes to a child in foster care. Maybe

some of you here could do the same. I realize the economy makes it tough on all

of us, but I iimagine all those children out there who don't have Christmas at

all.

Re: Opinons about Facebook profile pictures and

child abuse?

I feel the same way about it and have not changed my profile pic. I

just wanted to let you are not alone in feeling that way.

>

> Some of you may not have facebook, but the newest incentive is to have

everyone change their profile picture to a picture of a cartoon character from

their childhood. I guess the goal is to promote child abuse awareness.

>

> I don't know about anyone else but this kid of bothers me. Everyone is jumping

on this bandwagon and now everyone has a picture of spongebob, or doug funny, or

ren and stimpy. But my question to these people are what are you actually doing

to help or prevent it?

>

> In this group, we are all children who have been victims of abuse here in one

way or another. We know what it's like, and we know people know it exists. I

feel like people are just excited to google image their favorite cartoon

character and make it their picture!

>

> And I don't have these opinons without backing it up. I've worked and interned

in Massachusetts for three years now. I interned with boys ages 10-12 in a

locked down residential unit, these boys mostly coming from abuse, neglect and

removed from the home by DCF. Then I moved on to work with women and children in

a domestic violence center, trying desperately to protect these families from

their abusers. I am now working in a group home now for adult women with severe

trauma histories from childhood.

>

> Anyone else DOING something rather than putting up a picture and claiming you

are???

>

> Sorry for the rant!

> - Kate

>

[Guest guest]

My kids, my husband and I raised $10,000 by going door to door to donate a free

heart surgery to a 15 year old ethiopian girl. she is alive right now because of

our efforts. it's indescribable to save someone's life.

Now we are collecting for The Smile Train to give surgeries to children with

cleft palates and cleft lips. We have already raised enough for 7 surgeries and

we will be collecting until June.

Action is our obligation.

Amy

Opinons about Facebook profile pictures and child

abuse?

Some of you may not have facebook, but the newest incentive is to have everyone

change their profile picture to a picture of a cartoon character from their

childhood. I guess the goal is to promote child abuse awareness.

I don't know about anyone else but this kid of bothers me. Everyone is jumping

on this bandwagon and now everyone has a picture of spongebob, or doug funny, or

ren and stimpy. But my question to these people are what are you actually doing

to help or prevent it?

In this group, we are all children who have been victims of abuse here in one

way or another. We know what it's like, and we know people know it exists. I

feel like people are just excited to google image their favorite cartoon

character and make it their picture!

And I don't have these opinons without backing it up. I've worked and interned

in Massachusetts for three years now. I interned with boys ages 10-12 in a

locked down residential unit, these boys mostly coming from abuse, neglect and

removed from the home by DCF. Then I moved on to work with women and children in

a domestic violence center, trying desperately to protect these families from

their abusers. I am now working in a group home now for adult women with severe

trauma histories from childhood.

Anyone else DOING something rather than putting up a picture and claiming you

are???

Sorry for the rant!

- Kate

[Guest guest]

My kids, my husband and I raised $10,000 by going door to door to donate a free

heart surgery to a 15 year old ethiopian girl. she is alive right now because of

our efforts. it's indescribable to save someone's life.

Now we are collecting for The Smile Train to give surgeries to children with

cleft palates and cleft lips. We have already raised enough for 7 surgeries and

we will be collecting until June.

Action is our obligation.

Amy

Opinons about Facebook profile pictures and child

abuse?

Some of you may not have facebook, but the newest incentive is to have everyone

change their profile picture to a picture of a cartoon character from their

childhood. I guess the goal is to promote child abuse awareness.

I don't know about anyone else but this kid of bothers me. Everyone is jumping

on this bandwagon and now everyone has a picture of spongebob, or doug funny, or

ren and stimpy. But my question to these people are what are you actually doing

to help or prevent it?

In this group, we are all children who have been victims of abuse here in one

way or another. We know what it's like, and we know people know it exists. I

feel like people are just excited to google image their favorite cartoon

character and make it their picture!

And I don't have these opinons without backing it up. I've worked and interned

in Massachusetts for three years now. I interned with boys ages 10-12 in a

locked down residential unit, these boys mostly coming from abuse, neglect and

removed from the home by DCF. Then I moved on to work with women and children in

a domestic violence center, trying desperately to protect these families from

their abusers. I am now working in a group home now for adult women with severe

trauma histories from childhood.

Anyone else DOING something rather than putting up a picture and claiming you

are???

Sorry for the rant!

- Kate

[Guest guest]

Yes, I think I understand your reaction.

I don't usually like the " awareness " campaigns, because to me they just don't

really seem that sincere. I mean, it takes all of two seconds to copy and paste

a status that advertises to your friends how much you " care " about a given

issue. The breast cancer ones are the worst; I mean, how are you supposed to

raise awareness about an issue when you're trying to keep half the population

(men) from knowing what you're talking about?

That said, this campaign bugs me even more. Now, people don't just get to feel

good about how much they hate child abuse, they get to wax nostalgic about their

childhood bliss. I sort of resent it, because Scooby Doo never did a damn thing

to keep my mom from taking out all her rage on me.

I decided to share with my friends a list of 5 things they can do that would

actually make a difference. Here's what I came up with off the top of my head:

ý1) Educate yourself: Child abuse takes many forms, including physical,

sexual, emotional, and psychological. Do you know what signs to look for?

Everyone notices bruises; not everyone knows how to see emotional and

psychological scars from attacks that are more than skin deep. If Google doesn't

tell you what you need to know, call your local domestic violence shelter.

They'll be happy to educate you.

ý2) Speak up: When you notice that something doesn't seem right, don't be

afraid to ask CPS to investigate. See a mom who ignores her child? A dad who

keeps yelling and calling his family names? If it's that bad in public, what do

you think it's like in their home? Better to have called and been mistaken than

to have kept silent and been right. Trust your gut.

ý3) Get involved: Volunteer. Be a mentor, a tutor, a domestic violence

counselor, a community educator, or just a friend. The presence of an adult who

can model healthy behavior and offer genuine, no-strings-attached compassion can

be life-changing for a child who endures abuse at home. Talk to kids you know

who seem troubled. Let them know they can come to you for for help if they ever

feel unsafe.

ý4) Validate: If anyone ever gets up the courage to confide in you that they

have endured abuse, believe them. Don't tell them it's not that bad, or that it

could be worse. Don't tell them they should get over it, or forgive and move on,

or that you're sure their parent really loves them and would never do anything

to hurt them. We desperately need someone to believe us, even after we've grown

up.

ý 5)Get help: If you have ever been abused, especially by a parent or family

member, you are much more likely to become an abuser yourself if you don't find

someone to teach you how to deal with the pain. Ask a trained therapist to teach

you the healthy skills that your parent's couldn't give you, so that you do not

end up lashing out at or ignoring your own children. You have the power to end

the cycle.

I only received criticism from one person, who got defensive about her right to

post a silly little cartoon in order to help a good cause. I told her she can

post whatever she wants, but if someone really cares about an issue, he will

want to spend more than two seconds changing his picture and actually do

something about it.

kt

>

> Some of you may not have facebook, but the newest incentive is to have

everyone change their profile picture to a picture of a cartoon character from

their childhood. I guess the goal is to promote child abuse awareness.

>

> I don't know about anyone else but this kid of bothers me. Everyone is jumping

on this bandwagon and now everyone has a picture of spongebob, or doug funny, or

ren and stimpy. But my question to these people are what are you actually doing

to help or prevent it?

>

> In this group, we are all children who have been victims of abuse here in one

way or another. We know what it's like, and we know people know it exists. I

feel like people are just excited to google image their favorite cartoon

character and make it their picture!

>

> And I don't have these opinons without backing it up. I've worked and interned

in Massachusetts for three years now. I interned with boys ages 10-12 in a

locked down residential unit, these boys mostly coming from abuse, neglect and

removed from the home by DCF. Then I moved on to work with women and children in

a domestic violence center, trying desperately to protect these families from

their abusers. I am now working in a group home now for adult women with severe

trauma histories from childhood.

>

> Anyone else DOING something rather than putting up a picture and claiming you

are???

>

> Sorry for the rant!

> - Kate

>

[Guest guest]

Yes, I think I understand your reaction.

I don't usually like the " awareness " campaigns, because to me they just don't

really seem that sincere. I mean, it takes all of two seconds to copy and paste

a status that advertises to your friends how much you " care " about a given

issue. The breast cancer ones are the worst; I mean, how are you supposed to

raise awareness about an issue when you're trying to keep half the population

(men) from knowing what you're talking about?

That said, this campaign bugs me even more. Now, people don't just get to feel

good about how much they hate child abuse, they get to wax nostalgic about their

childhood bliss. I sort of resent it, because Scooby Doo never did a damn thing

to keep my mom from taking out all her rage on me.

I decided to share with my friends a list of 5 things they can do that would

actually make a difference. Here's what I came up with off the top of my head:

ý1) Educate yourself: Child abuse takes many forms, including physical,

sexual, emotional, and psychological. Do you know what signs to look for?

Everyone notices bruises; not everyone knows how to see emotional and

psychological scars from attacks that are more than skin deep. If Google doesn't

tell you what you need to know, call your local domestic violence shelter.

They'll be happy to educate you.

ý2) Speak up: When you notice that something doesn't seem right, don't be

afraid to ask CPS to investigate. See a mom who ignores her child? A dad who

keeps yelling and calling his family names? If it's that bad in public, what do

you think it's like in their home? Better to have called and been mistaken than

to have kept silent and been right. Trust your gut.

ý3) Get involved: Volunteer. Be a mentor, a tutor, a domestic violence

counselor, a community educator, or just a friend. The presence of an adult who

can model healthy behavior and offer genuine, no-strings-attached compassion can

be life-changing for a child who endures abuse at home. Talk to kids you know

who seem troubled. Let them know they can come to you for for help if they ever

feel unsafe.

ý4) Validate: If anyone ever gets up the courage to confide in you that they

have endured abuse, believe them. Don't tell them it's not that bad, or that it

could be worse. Don't tell them they should get over it, or forgive and move on,

or that you're sure their parent really loves them and would never do anything

to hurt them. We desperately need someone to believe us, even after we've grown

up.

ý 5)Get help: If you have ever been abused, especially by a parent or family

member, you are much more likely to become an abuser yourself if you don't find

someone to teach you how to deal with the pain. Ask a trained therapist to teach

you the healthy skills that your parent's couldn't give you, so that you do not

end up lashing out at or ignoring your own children. You have the power to end

the cycle.

I only received criticism from one person, who got defensive about her right to

post a silly little cartoon in order to help a good cause. I told her she can

post whatever she wants, but if someone really cares about an issue, he will

want to spend more than two seconds changing his picture and actually do

something about it.

kt

>

> Some of you may not have facebook, but the newest incentive is to have

everyone change their profile picture to a picture of a cartoon character from

their childhood. I guess the goal is to promote child abuse awareness.

>

> I don't know about anyone else but this kid of bothers me. Everyone is jumping

on this bandwagon and now everyone has a picture of spongebob, or doug funny, or

ren and stimpy. But my question to these people are what are you actually doing

to help or prevent it?

>

> In this group, we are all children who have been victims of abuse here in one

way or another. We know what it's like, and we know people know it exists. I

feel like people are just excited to google image their favorite cartoon

character and make it their picture!

>

> And I don't have these opinons without backing it up. I've worked and interned

in Massachusetts for three years now. I interned with boys ages 10-12 in a

locked down residential unit, these boys mostly coming from abuse, neglect and

removed from the home by DCF. Then I moved on to work with women and children in

a domestic violence center, trying desperately to protect these families from

their abusers. I am now working in a group home now for adult women with severe

trauma histories from childhood.

>

> Anyone else DOING something rather than putting up a picture and claiming you

are???

>

> Sorry for the rant!

> - Kate

>

[Guest guest]

Excellent list, KT, thanks for sharing it! And to those of you who give your

time and money to help charitable causes for children, particularly abused,

neglected children, I that is awesome. Kudos to you!

-Annie

> >

> > Some of you may not have facebook, but the newest incentive is to have

everyone change their profile picture to a picture of a cartoon character from

their childhood. I guess the goal is to promote child abuse awareness.

> >

> > I don't know about anyone else but this kid of bothers me. Everyone is

jumping on this bandwagon and now everyone has a picture of spongebob, or doug

funny, or ren and stimpy. But my question to these people are what are you

actually doing to help or prevent it?

> >

> > In this group, we are all children who have been victims of abuse here in

one way or another. We know what it's like, and we know people know it exists. I

feel like people are just excited to google image their favorite cartoon

character and make it their picture!

> >

> > And I don't have these opinons without backing it up. I've worked and

interned in Massachusetts for three years now. I interned with boys ages 10-12

in a locked down residential unit, these boys mostly coming from abuse, neglect

and removed from the home by DCF. Then I moved on to work with women and

children in a domestic violence center, trying desperately to protect these

families from their abusers. I am now working in a group home now for adult

women with severe trauma histories from childhood.

> >

> > Anyone else DOING something rather than putting up a picture and claiming

you are???

> >

> > Sorry for the rant!

> > - Kate

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I LOVE your list,.Really well done!

I pay no attention to Facebook or other " social media " so I have no idea what

this cartoon character so called campaign is about but it would be great to have

your list spread all over the internet.And beyond.I hope the friends you sent it

to forward it and forward it on.

>

> Yes, I think I understand your reaction.

>

> I don't usually like the " awareness " campaigns, because to me they just don't

really seem that sincere. I mean, it takes all of two seconds to copy and paste

a status that advertises to your friends how much you " care " about a given

issue. The breast cancer ones are the worst; I mean, how are you supposed to

raise awareness about an issue when you're trying to keep half the population

(men) from knowing what you're talking about?

>

> That said, this campaign bugs me even more. Now, people don't just get to

feel good about how much they hate child abuse, they get to wax nostalgic about

their childhood bliss. I sort of resent it, because Scooby Doo never did a damn

thing to keep my mom from taking out all her rage on me.

>

> I decided to share with my friends a list of 5 things they can do that would

actually make a difference. Here's what I came up with off the top of my head:

>

> ý1) Educate yourself: Child abuse takes many forms, including physical,

sexual, emotional, and psychological. Do you know what signs to look for?

Everyone notices bruises; not everyone knows how to see emotional and

psychological scars from attacks that are more than skin deep. If Google doesn't

tell you what you need to know, call your local domestic violence shelter.

They'll be happy to educate you.

> ý2) Speak up: When you notice that something doesn't seem right, don't be

afraid to ask CPS to investigate. See a mom who ignores her child? A dad who

keeps yelling and calling his family names? If it's that bad in public, what do

you think it's like in their home? Better to have called and been mistaken than

to have kept silent and been right. Trust your gut.

> ý3) Get involved: Volunteer. Be a mentor, a tutor, a domestic violence

counselor, a community educator, or just a friend. The presence of an adult who

can model healthy behavior and offer genuine, no-strings-attached compassion can

be life-changing for a child who endures abuse at home. Talk to kids you know

who seem troubled. Let them know they can come to you for for help if they ever

feel unsafe.

> ý4) Validate: If anyone ever gets up the courage to confide in you that they

have endured abuse, believe them. Don't tell them it's not that bad, or that it

could be worse. Don't tell them they should get over it, or forgive and move on,

or that you're sure their parent really loves them and would never do anything

to hurt them. We desperately need someone to believe us, even after we've grown

up.

> ý 5)Get help: If you have ever been abused, especially by a parent or family

member, you are much more likely to become an abuser yourself if you don't find

someone to teach you how to deal with the pain. Ask a trained therapist to teach

you the healthy skills that your parent's couldn't give you, so that you do not

end up lashing out at or ignoring your own children. You have the power to end

the cycle.

>

> I only received criticism from one person, who got defensive about her right

to post a silly little cartoon in order to help a good cause. I told her she

can post whatever she wants, but if someone really cares about an issue, he will

want to spend more than two seconds changing his picture and actually do

something about it.

>

>

> kt

[Guest guest]

I LOVE your list,.Really well done!

I pay no attention to Facebook or other " social media " so I have no idea what

this cartoon character so called campaign is about but it would be great to have

your list spread all over the internet.And beyond.I hope the friends you sent it

to forward it and forward it on.

>

> Yes, I think I understand your reaction.

>

> I don't usually like the " awareness " campaigns, because to me they just don't

really seem that sincere. I mean, it takes all of two seconds to copy and paste

a status that advertises to your friends how much you " care " about a given

issue. The breast cancer ones are the worst; I mean, how are you supposed to

raise awareness about an issue when you're trying to keep half the population

(men) from knowing what you're talking about?

>

> That said, this campaign bugs me even more. Now, people don't just get to

feel good about how much they hate child abuse, they get to wax nostalgic about

their childhood bliss. I sort of resent it, because Scooby Doo never did a damn

thing to keep my mom from taking out all her rage on me.

>

> I decided to share with my friends a list of 5 things they can do that would

actually make a difference. Here's what I came up with off the top of my head:

>

> ý1) Educate yourself: Child abuse takes many forms, including physical,

sexual, emotional, and psychological. Do you know what signs to look for?

Everyone notices bruises; not everyone knows how to see emotional and

psychological scars from attacks that are more than skin deep. If Google doesn't

tell you what you need to know, call your local domestic violence shelter.

They'll be happy to educate you.

> ý2) Speak up: When you notice that something doesn't seem right, don't be

afraid to ask CPS to investigate. See a mom who ignores her child? A dad who

keeps yelling and calling his family names? If it's that bad in public, what do

you think it's like in their home? Better to have called and been mistaken than

to have kept silent and been right. Trust your gut.

> ý3) Get involved: Volunteer. Be a mentor, a tutor, a domestic violence

counselor, a community educator, or just a friend. The presence of an adult who

can model healthy behavior and offer genuine, no-strings-attached compassion can

be life-changing for a child who endures abuse at home. Talk to kids you know

who seem troubled. Let them know they can come to you for for help if they ever

feel unsafe.

> ý4) Validate: If anyone ever gets up the courage to confide in you that they

have endured abuse, believe them. Don't tell them it's not that bad, or that it

could be worse. Don't tell them they should get over it, or forgive and move on,

or that you're sure their parent really loves them and would never do anything

to hurt them. We desperately need someone to believe us, even after we've grown

up.

> ý 5)Get help: If you have ever been abused, especially by a parent or family

member, you are much more likely to become an abuser yourself if you don't find

someone to teach you how to deal with the pain. Ask a trained therapist to teach

you the healthy skills that your parent's couldn't give you, so that you do not

end up lashing out at or ignoring your own children. You have the power to end

the cycle.

>

> I only received criticism from one person, who got defensive about her right

to post a silly little cartoon in order to help a good cause. I told her she

can post whatever she wants, but if someone really cares about an issue, he will

want to spend more than two seconds changing his picture and actually do

something about it.

>

>

> kt

[Guest guest]

It's OK to " rant " as you call it. I don't see how changing a profile picture

solves anything. I did change mine just to recreate one of the few pleasant

childhood memories I have. Pretty sad when a cartoon character creates a warm

fuzzy feeling and your family doesn't.

I didn't get the point of doing it either. Who's really going to know that a

picture of a cartoon is related to preventing child abuse. The pink campaign is

pretty well known.

I agree we have to be more proactive than this. I did my very best to be a

decent Mom and be there all the time for my kids, create a lot of fun, loving

memories. I had to break the chains my nada had wrapped around me. My kids grew

up reaching out to others (children and adults alike). Our daughter is a teacher

and gravitates to those with special needs. Our sons are excellent with kids.

Funny because when I was growing up I didn't like kids even though I was one. I

didn't know how to be a kid.

Anyway, just adding my thoughts. You're right about this but I did change my

picture just because.

>

> Some of you may not have facebook, but the newest incentive is to have

everyone change their profile picture to a picture of a cartoon character from

their childhood. I guess the goal is to promote child abuse awareness.

>

> I don't know about anyone else but this kid of bothers me. Everyone is jumping

on this bandwagon and now everyone has a picture of spongebob, or doug funny, or

ren and stimpy. But my question to these people are what are you actually doing

to help or prevent it?

>

> In this group, we are all children who have been victims of abuse here in one

way or another. We know what it's like, and we know people know it exists. I

feel like people are just excited to google image their favorite cartoon

character and make it their picture!

>

> And I don't have these opinons without backing it up. I've worked and interned

in Massachusetts for three years now. I interned with boys ages 10-12 in a

locked down residential unit, these boys mostly coming from abuse, neglect and

removed from the home by DCF. Then I moved on to work with women and children in

a domestic violence center, trying desperately to protect these families from

their abusers. I am now working in a group home now for adult women with severe

trauma histories from childhood.

>

> Anyone else DOING something rather than putting up a picture and claiming you

are???

>

> Sorry for the rant!

> - Kate

>