Kwaśne jabłka. O przemocy wobec dzieci

I saw nothing, I heard nothing.

Every year, 20-40 children are killed in Polish homes as a result of violence. It is as if one class disappeared from school every year!

Kacper, lived 3 years. Klaudia, lived 5 years. Leon, lived 4 years. Eliza, lived 5 years. Marcel, lived 2 years. Nikodem, lived 3 years. Zuzia, lived 3 years. Kamilek, lived 8 years. Michał, lived 6 years. Oskar, lived 4 years. They died at the hands of mothers, fathers, guardians. Adults.

These are the invisible and unheard heroes of Magda and Piotr's report. Just a few of the thousands of children who have become victims of violence in their own homes. Of course, this is only part of the data on violence, the kind that has gained media attention. Most children suffer in silence.

The authors in their report also give a voice to experts and specialists who deal with cases of violence against children on a daily basis. From their conversations emerges a pattern of functioning that leads to tragedy.

Lack of competence, poverty, disorders, addictions, childhood traumas. In addition, ineffective regulations, negligence on the part of officials, social workers and services that have a duty to protect children.

The repetition and schematic nature of cases allow us to anticipate the move. And it is only up to us whether we will make it.

Magda and Piotr's report is an important voice in the discussion about violence.

Abused children never forget what happened. The trauma returns, the body remembers. Forever.

"Kamil ran away from home several times. Police: nothing bad happened. Kamil did not receive the required medical attention. Family court: nothing bad happened. Kamil went to school with an untreated, broken arm and further injuries to his face. School: nothing bad happened. Kamil was constantly beaten and burned with cigarettes. Social services: nothing bad happened. Kamil screamed in pain. Neighbors: nothing bad happened. Kamil, with extensive burns and broken arms and legs, suffered for five days on the floor in the house where his mother, her husband, uncle, aunt and other children lived. Family: nothing bad happened. Kamil died on May 8, 2023."