Child abuse/mental illness

Well a topic in which I feel very strongly about is mental health most likely due to my many years of involvement and experience. Also the issue of child abuse mostly because of my past history. I have read many books and articles on this issue and talked to many people who share a passion for the subject. But there are many questions that arise when I think about it and would appreciate anyone who may be able to shed some light on the issue. In terms of child abuse one of the most accurate statements I have ever heard made was "It takes a community to save a child". Too many people turn a blind eye to what is happening all around them and this in itself can be just as damaging. I have met many people who have never known a life of stability and security and without simple basic needs of love, attention, and a healthy and safe environment they are in a continued downward cycle continually in and out of juvenile detention or psychiatric hospitals moving from foster home to group home to resbite. My mother recently made the statement while watching a "soapie" that she felt sorry for rapists and child molesters because they were unwell and couldn't help themselves. This statement some what appalled me. For those of you who are aware of the symptoms present in someone who is considered to have schizophrenia or some form of psychosis would understand that often they lack the skills to formulate any well thought out plan are incoherent and simply act impulsively. I believe that child abuse does not start from the actual "act" but begins way before. They are often people who are manipulative, cunning and intelligent. They plan how to best issue the "act" and how they make sure they are not caught, how they are trusted by the community and how they manage to persuade the child or young person and scare them into becoming their puppet. I was recently asked these questions as a way to comprehend abuse.
1.Why did the abuse happen then?
2.What were the circumstances which made it possible?
3.What do you know now when someone was trying to set you up to be abused?
4.Do you think you could stop someone from abusing you now?
5.What are the other ways people seek to hurt people?
For me I find that those people of society who are vulnerable whether it be because they have a physical or mental disability, come from a broken home, are not educated and told how to stand up for oneself, or if they are simply in the wrong place at the wrong time is what makes them susceptible to abuse. Another somewhat abrupt comment my mother put forward was why is it that if you take a group of people who have been abused as children. Why is it that there will be those who as a result have a mental illness have become suicidal in their life, self harm, abuse others, are frightened of men etc and then there are those that are "normal". Apart from the fact that I believe that there is simply no such thing as "normal" it got me thinking? Why is it that people who experience similar things react in different ways? Does it not only rely on the experience itself but the environment they live in? Whether they have other people in their lives who love and care for them or if they have no one. Or is it because these people really are unwell they are suppressing it and not facing what will most defiantly some day be released.
In terms of mental illness. Apart from the alarming increase in the issuing of prescription medication. What I want to know is has societies awareness or these once "not talked about" issues been beneficial or harmful. We may think that by educating people and helping others to become more tolerant of mental illness it has helped. But I also believe that it has opened up a whole new avenue. Has the increase in the statistical reporting of more children and adolescence with eating disorders, depression, self harm etc been because they aren't as afraid to admit and seek help or is it because they have learnt these behaviors from others...from the internet...from their peers...from their parents. As the years have increased children's innocence and naivety as decreased. I remember someone making the statement that maybe what the world needs is another Noah's arc, wiping the world and starting over again. However most unfortunately I am afraid history just repeats itself. Rather then ignoring, or brushing away the problem it must be addressed.
Well I've had my rant for the night...I feel much better.

Post summary required.

Uhm, I'm rather confused. Are we supposed to comment back with something? If you asked a question, I have forgotten it by now.

I do remember you saying something about.. children acting differently when they have been abused. I noticed some try holding onto their childhood, some try reaching out for help only to find no one there, some become "outcasts" to society, some become drinkers/smokers, some just pretend it never happened..

I could go on with that list. No matter the age, people deal with things differently. As you said.. they have different surroundings, friends.. and whatnot. I agree with that whole heartedly.

I'm not exactly sure what else to say? So. Good job!

Haha lol. yea i was just ranting i was very bored and i had a lot of things i wanted to say but no one to listen so i thought i would just write. ANYWHO

I am not going to give you an answer to that, because I believe only a docter can give you that. But what I will say is that I FULLY...understand were u are coming from...i swear its like we are the same people but in different parts of the world...what is somewhat helping me is depression pills i just got on...after revealing to my husband what happen to me so many years ago...but that doesn't always work you should still cunsult in speaking with someone who can give you better answer and a since of reinsurance that things should get better from here