A number of people have reached out to me privately with questions about how to help their child who is violent. They fear for their other children’s safety as well as their own, but are frightened to reach out for help because they worry their child will be taken from them. This is not an easy topic. If you do not have a child who is prone to violence, it is difficult to imagine what that child is going through. If you are not and have never been the recipient of violence it is difficult to imagine what that is like. Similar to self injury/harm this is a hot button topic for many people, not just parents who feel powerless to help their child and feel they have nowhere to turn, but for the person who does not have any other way to express themselves.
So I am asking for all of your help. If you once were or currently are someone who knows anything about responding to the environment and people in your life with violence, and are comfortable telling me what that experience is/was like for you, please email me at: emmashopeblog@gmail.com. Also if you are in a position to tell me what might have helped, what, if anything, might have given you the support you needed/wanted. Was there anyone you could talk to? If you cannot speak or cannot rely on verbal speech when upset, were you able to type? Would that have helped? Is there anything that might help/would have helped? Do you have advice for parents? Do you have advice for those who are under the care of another person? If you are the parent of a child you are frightened of and want to reach out, please do. Please describe your situation as best you can, as well as what might be helpful to you. In other words would a help/hotline (if one were available) be something you would use? Would you prefer an anonymous support group where you could discuss what you are going through with others? Would something else be helpful? Anyone who contacts me will remain anonymous. Anything you tell me, I will quote as anonymous. If you prefer that what you write NOT be quoted, please be sure to tell me that. All names and/or places you tell me about will remain confidential.
I don’t know what can be done, but it seems to me, from some of the stories I’m being told, that something needs to be done/created to help all involved. Maybe you know of resources that have helped, maybe something you’ve tried helped, maybe there was something/one helped you. If any of you know of anything, please let me know. Any and all information is appreciated. Maybe just talking about what’s going on in a safe place is a start. You can also write in the comments section anonymously, if you prefer doing that.
Emma's Hope Book 