Hello, I would like to report my Father for neglect, isolation and emotional abuse on multiple accounts. I don’t feel safe in the environment I am in for multiple reasons. My Father is exposing me to substance abuse, unable to provide adequate food and clothing, and he’s unable to provide a sanitary environment. He is constantly belittling, shaming, and humiliating me in front of others. He uses frequent yelling, threatening, bullying, ignoring or rejecting me as a way of punishment and he also gives me the silent treatment. My Father gets mad even if I disagree with him. If I get home from school and try not to do things he forces me to do, my father screams at me and takes things away from me for no reason. Whenever I try to separate myself from the situation he gets overly angry and threatens me with physical harm or tries to take away my electronics that I try to use as a separation tool.
CONSIDER THIS:
- Managing an abusive parent is extremely difficult to deal with. The emotional and physical detriments in response to abuse can be severe and require much strength to overcome and manage. You are very brave and courageous to reaching out to TeenCentral for help and you should be proud of yourself for taking a step in the right direction to manage the abuse.
- It’s important that you reach out to an adult that you can trust to tell them what your home life is like. It can be a family member, teacher or guidance counselor at school, a religious leader or even a neighbor. It could be that no adult is aware of what you are dealing with right now.
- Although it may be difficult, you might want to try talking to your father about how you feel when he punishes you. If you reach out to him and things still don’t change, well, at least you tried.
- Although you’ve mentioned that he takes those things (electronics) that you use as an escape, try to find other detours to help take your mind off of the situation.
- You can always reach out to the Child Help National Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453). The number is available 24/7, it’s totally confidential and it’s toll free. The counselors there will listen to your situation without judging you.
HELP YOURSELF:
- Which family members can you reach out to explain the abusive situation you are currently in?
- Who is the person at your school that you can reach out to and inform them of the abuse that your Father is inflicting on you?
- What are some ways in which you can open a meaningful and respectful dialogue with your Father explaining to him how he is abusing you and the suffering he is causing you as a result?
- What recreational events will allow you to feel good about yourself?
- How do you feel about calling the Child Help hotline listed above?
