by Volecia Plafcan

Created on: August 04, 2008

I have always loved children. Before I had my own, I considered my neices and nephews my grandchildren. Of course, my sisters had their children long before I did because I was twenty-eight years old before I had my first one.

I know child sexual abuse has occurred throughout the years, long before we had the Amber Alert or TV. We say, "Well, those were the days when that didn't happen." Sure it did. It has gone on long before we were even born but, when Adam Walsh became missing, it became an even stronger issue in the world. That is because his father, John, realized how precious a child can be to a parent. God bless him for what he has done and is doing. But, it will never bring his precious baby back.

The most horrible thing I have ever witnessed is that a Down's Syndrome, wheelchair bound, young lady, was brought into the hospital where I worked. She had no idea where she was or what was going on around her. She had been raped by her brothers and was into her second pregnancy by them. She was no more than a child, mentally.

I don't even like to place myself in Polly's, Samantha's, Danielle's, Adam's, Amber's or all the rest of the wonderful children who have gone through what they did. But, I do. I cannot imagine the horror they must have endured. I often wonder why God didn't take me instead.

According to The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, some signs of sexual abuse are: Changes in behavior, extreme mood swings, withdrawal, fearfulness and excessive bed-wetting, nightmares, fear of going to bed and other sleep disturbances; Acting out inappropriate sexual activity of showig an unusual interest in sexual matters; A sudden acting out of feelings or aggresive or rebellious behavior; Regression to infantile behavior, clinging; School or behavioral problem; Changes in toilet-traing habits; A fear of certain placs, people, or activities; Bruises, rashes, cuts, limping, multiple or poorly explained injuries; Pain, itching, bleeding, fluid or rawness in the private area.

But, The Center cautions that these signs could be caused by other problems nevertheless, to have your child checked. Also, talk to you child about the causes. Sometimes, a child won't demonstrate obvious signs such as these, but, may do or say something that hints at the exploitation.

I don't think I overreact to a child being abused and murdered. I cry. It breaks my heart for the child and the family.

When Samantha Runion's tiny body was found, I was babysitting my granddaughter who was the same age and looked just like her. Custody court was approaching for my granddaughter and she was awarded to the ex husband of my daughter. I had never spent such a horrible time in my life and I thought I would never survive that time mourning the loss of both children.

Know where your children are at all times. Love them and protect them. Don't hesitate to call a policeman to help you find the child. I don't, no matter how long the child has been gone after wandering off.

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