We all have met kids who were mischievous, rebellious, or aggressive to others right. But are they still innocent? Someone on Threads yesterday believed kids who bully should be treated like adult criminals.
Now, that statement alone says a lot about what the writer has been through.
I’ve seen how bad bullies can be in school, and I still bare the scars. I have learned though that they were kids and still innocent.
My perspective is that that kids do things that aren’t alright, sometimes. Let’s face it – they can bully, damage property and break the law – but they are still kids!
The thing to ask is where are they learning to act like this. Sometimes, this is down to what they witness at home or in community, but not always.
Even when a kid is abused and has their innocence taken from them, they are still the innocent party.
Emma was lovely sometimes, but other times there was a wailing banshee inside her. She’d explain the nasty side as trying to support Astrid to manage without help.
Whenever they fell out Emma could also sweet talk her way back into Astrid’s favor.
And because Astrid often felt worthless, and helpless, she didn’t realise that she deserved better. In fact, Astrid was far from helpless, but that didn’t stop the voices saying otherwise. Astrid could be really good at some things, but she didn’t see things the way others did.
It came to a head though when Astrid’s mum started trying to take control of what was happening.
Emma didn’t like that, cause Emma was trying to rewrite the contract and give herself more power over Astrid.
So the fights started with Emma trying to pressure, and Astrid’s mum to control. It was up to Astrid to end it.
At first she was won over by Emma and sided with her for a while. But Mum came back in strong, and showed her the contract that already existed for Emma.
The problem was Astrid felt ashamed standing up to Emma. She had to do it though. This was the only way.
One day, Astrid saw Emma’s dark side come out again and said “You’re fired.”
Emma tried to plead, turned on the charm, but it didn’t work. Astrid could see what was going on plainly. She sent Emma away, and let her Mum help with hiring the next carers. It wasn’t full independence, but it was better than how Emma had behaved.
The Facts
The story above is based on real events, but all names changed. Does it sound familiar to you? Many disabled and learning disabled are victims of domestic abuse, without knowing it or being able to speak out. Why? They are often socially isolated.
Also, they might not be capable of seeing a doctor or social worker without the abuser there.
Or, they may be dependent on the person abusing.
It is important that they speak out because no one should accept abuse.
Beth writes 