Family Abuse And Violence / Question
Published: April 15, 2003
Dear TeenHealthFX,
i wrote you before, but i havent seen an answer to my question.. its very important because sometimes i get very scared. are stepfathers that did not legally adopt you allowed to hit you? some parents would just say its discipline but isn't that my mothers job? not my stepfathers? please help me.. im 15 and scared of my stepfather and what he might do next..
Signed: Can Step-Fathers Hit You
Dear Can Step-Fathers Hit You,
No one has the right to physically abuse you and call it discipline. Whether it is a parent, stepparent, grandparent or any non-relative. The fact that you are scared of "what he might do next", suggests that his level of violence has been increasing. If your mother is aware of this abuse then she has a legal obligation to prevent him from hurting you. If your mother tolerates this behavior by your stepfather, then you can call child protective services yourself or talk to someone at school and let them know what has been happening. School personnel will be required to report the authorities and an investigation by child protective services will take place. The goal of this agency is not to break up your family but to ensure that you and your family get the appropriate help so that the abuse stops. In some cases if the abuse is severe the abuser will be asked to leave the home or you could be removed and placed with a relative or some other place where you could be safe. The primary goal of agencies whose mission is to protect children is to keep families together but in a safe loving environment.
Telling on a parent may seem like a betrayal but what you are actually doing is standing up for yourself. There is no justification for abusing a child and any outcome from the incident is the fault of the abuser and not the victim. Hopefully your actions will result in a positive change for the entire family.
If you would like more information on child abuse or where to get help contact the Child Abuse Hotline 1-800-792-8610, 24 hours, 7days a week.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
More than four in 10 young women become pregnant at least once before they reach the age of 20 - nearly one million a year teen pregnancies a year 
