6 UCW APRIL 13 - 19, 2022
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM
Child Abuse has affected so many
children around the world. ere
are many different types of child
abuse, such as physical abuse,
sexual abuse and emotional abuse.
Many children that have been
abused are fearful of speaking up
about what they are enduring in
their daily lives. Many children
need someone that will be their
voice and advocate for what is right.
As a school social worker, I have
seen first-hand the effects of child
abuse, especially in the children
that I come in contact with daily.
It affects their ability to learn and
retain information, the changes in
their personalities, how they handle
their emotions and their interac-
tions with others in the classroom.
e school is a safe haven for many
of these children facing adversity.
For some children, school is
where they receive their only meal.
School is the only place where they
receive love and attention from
their teachers and other school
personnel. It is the only place they
feel safe and secure. Being a school
social worker means that I use my
mind to create different resources
and avenues that will effectively
meet the needs of the students that
I serve.
I use my eyes to help them see
a clearer vision of who they can
become and remind them that
they are not alone. I use my nose
to teach them to inhale and exhale
whenever they become over-
whelmed, anxious or angry. I use
my ears to listen without judgment
to the daily struggles and trauma
they face. I use my mouth to be the
voice for those that cannot speak
up for themselves and advocate for
what is right. I use my hands to help
guide them and show them a better
way. I will use my feet to help walk
with them along this journey.
School social workers were cre-
ated to help people along the way
to see that even though you had to
endure many trials and tribulations
and it left a hole inside your heart,
it still does not keep you from be-
coming the beautiful masterpiece
that you are.
OPINION
LeTyssa Stokes, Social Worker,
Ponderosa Elementary School.
COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomin-
gweekly.com. 910-484-6200.
Child Abuse Prevention through the eyes of a school social worker
by LETYSSA STOKES
Photo courtesy of Pexels.
A display made for Child Abuse Awareness. (Photo by Edmund Garman.)
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