Five-Point Plan to Help Stop Abuse of Children
The Universe
(July 27, 2003)
Last week, Preda's work of helping abuse children received the Caritas Swiss International Award. Caritas is a Catholic Human assistance and development agency of the Church found in most countries world - wide.
In my acceptance speech, I stressed that the children and youth who had struggled so hard to over-come the hardship of poverty, oppression and abuse were the real heroes who truly deserved the prize.
I said: "These are the youth who have the courage to speak out the truth and testify against their abusers, who are committed to sacrificing themselves and who work to help free other imprisoned and abused youth.
"They are not only found at the PREDA Foundation in Philippines, they are brave young people who are strengthened and empowered by the work of Caritas throughout the world.
"These youth and children are an inspiration to all of us who come to know and understand them and see their pain and suffering and know what they have overcome. Instead of losing hope, wallowing in self-pity and singing into despair, they reach out to help other who suffer abuse.
"These young people and many more like them, have found the courage and spiritual strength to confront the traffickers and sex mafia who violated their human rights and hurt and abused abuse them.
But when the children cry out, are there enough adult to hear them and take action to stop this trade in human beings? Let us not forget that silence in the face of abuse is a from of consent. We must not tolerate the culture of silence and apathy that allows these terrible crimes to proliferate and devour more and more children.
"What we need from all of society is a greater outpouring of love and concern and more highly organized political lobbying and efficient action by the defenders of children's rights to end this injustice.
"Now, today is the time to thank God that we have so little. Let us with those that have so little. Let us ask ourselves, what more can we do for the impoverished and abused children and what more we can sacrifice of ourselves? What do we have that we really don't need but can give to change the lives of thousands of children?
"We have to be well-organised, spiritually motivated, dedicated and determined to win this war against child abuse for the sake of our own human dignity as well as that of