Child abuse hits close to home for SPC student

by Amelia Gonzales, feature editor

Each day, every hour, innocent children suffer from the horrendous acts of child abuse. While statistics only tell part of the story, many victims have to life their life in secrecy and shame.

Crystal Orosco, sophomore at South Plains College, has had to deal with the consequences of child abuse for the past couple of years. Her three nephews, ages 4, 6, and 7, are all victims of child abuse. For Orosco, getting their story out to the students of South Plains College, as well as those in surrounding communities, is a way that she can help others understand the severity and the heartache that comes with such harmful mistreatment of the innocent victims who will define our future.

“What makes this so hard is to know that my nephews are so small and that it is hard for them to understand why the things that happened to them happened,” says Orosco.

Unlike adults, children are unable to comprehend when and why things occur, whether they are good or bad. The Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services reports that almost 30 percent of victims are no older than 3 years of age, and half are no older than 6 years of age.

Whether it is physical, mental, or sexual forms of abuse, children are more susceptible to become victims because of the mere fact that their abusers are usually someone who they know and trust. The month of April is dedicated to bringing awareness of the ongoing anguish of some of the most defenseless victims of this world. Blue ribbons are worn throughout the month symbolizing the fight against child abuse. The blue ribbon is a symbol of a grandmother’s commitment to bringing awareness to others that child abuse does exist. This was after she went through the sorrow of losing her grandson in the spring of 1989.

Texas law requires that any and all forms of child abuse be reported immediately. When in doubt it is important to report it anyway according to the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Serices. It is the job of others to confirm whether or not abusive acts have taken place. Unreported cases only endanger the child further.

Hockley County District Attorney Gary Goff reports that in the past year alone 1.1 million cases of child abuse were reported nation wide. While many other cases go unreported. Unfortunately, many of these unreported cases lead to even greater danger for victims of child abuse, resulting in long-term mental and physical problems and, in some cases, can lead to the death of an innocent child, according to Goff.

There are numerous ways and signs that one can look for when identifying signs of abuse. These signs include frequent injuries, burns, or bruises. Emotionless behavior, becoming withdrawn, aggressiveness, and destructiveness are also ways one may be able to recognize abnormality in a child’s life.

Orosco says that each time her nephews would visit other family members, they would notice that the three young boys were always afraid of doing things for fear that they would get in trouble.

“They were always so afraid, even of simple things like getting something out of the refrigerator,” says Orosco. “ They would say little things that would always grab our attention and make us question what was going on.”

She said  that when Child Protective Services would question the boys, they would do it on separate occasions, days, and places. Each one of the boys had the same story which told investigators that they had to be removed from their home.

Orosco said it has been a little more than a year that she has been able to see her nephews. She has worked exhaustingly during the past year to put the word out about the effects of child abuse. Her effort has brought attention throughout her community, allowing more people to realize that this real-life situation can happen to those who believe it could never happen to their own families. She has provided countless organizations and individuals with an inside look at her own heartache and has opened limitless opportunities for others to gain knowledge of something that has existed since the beginning of time. 

Orosco’s family has been working to gain visitation privileges. Until then, they are spreading the word about child abuse with hopes that it could save one more child from becoming victims.

“ Good things happen from the bad,” says Orosco. “Sometimes we just have to do what we can do in order for the good things to prevail.”

Agencies such as the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services were created to prevent, protect, and educate others about how to be aware of abuse and neglect. With places, organizations, and individuals willing to open their doors and hearts up to those most defenseless victims, the statistics can and will decline, even if it is just by one.