Taking a stand in the face of tragedy

You may have read a particularly heinous story of child abuse in our pages and on our Web site today.

It involves a 2-year-old Kent girl, who was severely beaten, apparently in relation to toilet training. As of press time Thursday, she remained at Harborview Mecical Center, in treatment for injuries that most likely will be lifelong.

I have no joy in running these stories in our newspaper.

As a parent myself, it sickens me to think of anyone perpetrating violence on who should be the most fragile and protected members of our society.

But it happens; and as a community newspaper, we are obligated to reflect back to our readers what has happened in their community. Sometimes it’s a task I’d rather we not undertake, but as journalists we have a role to fulfill, and it’s one we take seriously.

What’s frustrating with these articles is the helpless feeling that comes after reading them. The abuse already has taken place; an arrest has been made; and it’s now up to our justice system to envision the outcome. Unfortunately for this little girl, help came too late – although we can thank God she is still alive.

But help doesn’t have to come too late for other children out there.

The way I see it, you can read this story, feel horrible for a while, and then go back to the regular business of your life.

Or, you can read this story and say “I won’t stand for this.”

It’s about taking personal initiative, whether that means joining a local organization involved with eradicating domestic violence, or by making that phone call, if you suspect someone is being abused.

Reading back over that story, the most wrenching thing I can see, outside of the outcome for this child, is that there were witnesses. There were people who were aware something was wrong.

“Witnesses told officers the suspect had beaten the child,” a line from this story reads.

But yet authorities didn’t know about this little girl until her mother and the mother’s boyfriend brought the youngster to the hospital.

Where were these witnesses when this child was beaten within an inch of her life, who may have heard her cries? Or did someone call, but nothing happened?

We may never fully know that part of the story, or the fear that may have prevented someone from doing the right thing and dialing that phone.

But each of us can promise ourselves that we won’t tolerate this. Whether that means a well-placed phone call, volunteering, making a donation, or simply offering a couch to someone who can’t go home for fear of retribution.

As Jacob Marley so aptly put it in “A Christmas Carol,” “BUSINESS? Mankind was my business! Their common welfare was my business!”

May we each look on what constitutes our “business” and hope there is room for our fellow man.

Or child.

Here are places where any of us can take that step and make a difference.

• Domestic Abuse Women’s Network: Provider of services to survivors of domestic violence in South King County, with the purpose of ending “domestic violence by empowering survivors and fostering communities where abuse is not tolerated.” 877-465-7234 or www.dawnonline.org.

• Domestic Violence Unit: King County Prosecutor’s Office is seeking volunteers to provide legal advocacy to King County domestic violence victims. Volunteers needed for 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays. 206-296-9700 or www.metrokc.gov, click on “prosecutor.”

• CASA: Court Appointed Special Advocates is looking for volunteer advocates for abused and neglected children in court. Must be 21 with excellent references. Volunteers must also attend 28 hours of training. 206-296-1120, gal.group@metrokc.gov or www.metrokc.gov/kcsc/depcasa.htm.

• YWCA of South King County hosts support groups for women who have experienced domestic violence. Meets at a confidential location. 1-3 p.m. Tuesdays; 1-3 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Thursdays. 206-799-6209.

• Family Law CASA of King County: Children’s needs can get lost in the dispute between separating parents. Do you want to advocate for such a child? Volunteer for Family Law CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) of King County. 206-748-9700 or www.familylawcasa.com.

• Fostering Together: Foster parents needed. 866-958-5437 or www.fosteringtogether.org.

• Olive Crest Abused and Neglected Children’s Foundation: Group is looking for dedicated volunteers to join the auxiliary group. Members assist with foster family activities, fundraising activities and welcome baskets for children entering new homes. 425-462-1612, ext. 1314, or www.olivecrest.org.