Sorry to be a bother but..

[toothpaste]

..well....... How to put this... I have a friend, who has been (and still is) sexually abused by her father, along with her brother and sister..... And this doesn't appear to be the site that can give me advice or support, because I really don't know what I should/can do about it, but I really have been looking for the whole day, and I'm getting frustrated and disappointed.. This is the closest place I've found to being somewhere where I can ask for help. I'm only 15, my friend is 16, and we both live in Australia...

In short.. I'm kinda hoping someone around here will be able to redirect me to a site/forum where I can talk about this with people who understand and can help.... I'm sorry I choose this site to ask for help for, because I as far as I understand it doesn't specifically concern my situation/problem but like I said... it's the closest I've found..

I would really apperciate a fast reply because the sooner I can figure out how to get my friend to make it stop, the better.. but this does look like a slow forum... but again, it's the best I can find...


Thanks ...

[seayshore]

Hi toothpaste, it is brave of you to want to help your friend. The best thing to do would be to call Child Protection Agency if there is one in Australia. You can do this anonymously or not, the best way to make it stop is to expose the abuser no matter what happens after that, like your friend being taken from the home and put in foster care. No one should have to live this way. Be strong.

[toothpaste]

Thanks for your help I hope everything works out in the end... thanks again.. this is a great site you have here.. I hope many more people find it when they're looking for help

[Moriji]

Yeah, I don't know what else you can do besides contacting a child protection agency. And depending on whether the allegations can be proven or not and the parties involved even want to admit it, this may not even work. If your friend doesn't want to do anything about it, then there is probably not much you can do besides offering support. It's impossible to make someone help themselves if they do not want to help themselves. The most you can do then is talk about it in the hopes that the person will eventually take some kind of action.

[fiona]

Hi Toothpaste,

I am an Australian citizen although originally from the UK and I have been in contact with some child protection agencies over in Auz. Here is a link to some of them state by state www.aifs.gov.au/nch/reporting.html if you or your friend ever want to report the child abuse. Even if you do, remember that nothing that happens is your, or your friends fault. You are both just doing the best you can to survive.

And talking of surviving if you, or you friend need help in the meantime here is the Kids Line number in Australia. It is a national number and it is free and confidential: Kids Help Line 1800 551 800. Remember no-one will be shocked or embarrassed by anything you say. Believe me they are used to hearing all sorts of things. You can trust them.

And here is another link about stopping child abuse and getting support www.stopchildabuse.com.au/support/tel.asp

Remember if you use a family computer you may want to clear the history so you don't leave any tracks.

Best wishes,

Fiona