By Liz Boeck, Safety Smarts Instructor/Marketing Coordinator.
School-based prevention instructors meet with children on a regular basis for up to six weeks. We often build connections and rapport with the students. For some, this connection can be life changing, as in the case of a 7-year-old boy named “Peter.” He approached me right away after the first lesson, and he stated that “I don’t have adults at my dad’s house that help keep me safe.” We discussed this a little more, and I encouraged him to think of other adults in his life that could keep him safe. He identified his aunt and teacher. We added them to his support tree, a tool used in Safety Smarts where the children write names of adults they can go to on a picture of a tree.
As the weeks went on, Peter would tell me more and more about the inappropriate treatment he received from his dad and stepmother. He finally stated that he did not want to go home, because he was scared of his stepmother. He explained that his stepmother threw away his support tree handout because she was mad she wasn’t listed. When I asked him more, he disclosed that his stepmother would get very angry and make him spend all of his time alone in his room. In addition, she verbally and physically abused him. At this point, enough information had been shared to make a report to child protection.
Because of the Safety Smarts program, Peter learned how to recognize, refuse, and report child abuse. While Peter’s story is still evolving, we are hopeful that he will receive the services he needs to grow up in a supportive and loving environment. Peter and I made a new support tree together to mark the beginning of his journey to healing.
