“Genie” Wiley survived appalling abuse at the hands of her father
The other day there was a picture in the newspaper of some neglected children standing in a backyard cluttered with rubbish.
These kids might find themselves better placed now that their plight has been recognised, but whether they’ll be able to transcend their early circumstances remains to be seen.
Years ago, there was a notorious case of child abuse featuring a young girl whose dad decided that she was mentally retarded and thus should be beaten, tied to a potty chair, locked in a dark room and not taught to do anything.
While the case of “Genie” Wiley was extreme to say the least (“Genie” lacked even the most basic social skills as a result of the treatment meted out by her brutal father), it’s worth wondering what it can tell us something about the way abuse hurts any child who’s subject to it, albeit to varying degrees.
A television show about “Genie’s” plight (see videos on YouTube) discussed the way the brain of a child devoid of stimulation changes.
Does it thus follow that any lack of the things children need to develop in a healthy way (e.g. adequate food, shelter and love) can result to changes in the brain?
Incidentally, there was an interesting and sad article earlier this year in the wake of the Fritzl revelations about “Genie’s” brother, John.
Not being as obvious a victim as “Genie” apparently led to him receiving no help at all:
“I was left out in left field and no one came to my rescue”, (John) Wiley, now 56 and living a modest life as a house painter in Ohio, told ABCNEWS.com in his first-ever interview about a life spent recovering from a tragedy.
“I am a living dead man.”
John has found it difficult to maintain relationships and turned to the bottle, perhaps to self-medicate.
It’s probably impossible to know how many children and adult survivors of childhood abuse are suffering from afflictions such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, pathologically low self-esteem, addiction and self-harm.
More than we know I’m sure, Darlene.
I often ponder the economic loss of potential not lived up to, leaving aside obvious costs related to addiction and crime.
I am past 35, and it’s only the last 3 years I have managed to hold down a low level office job. As a youngster I was whip-smart and funny and sociable. Then I was raped repeatedly over the period of a few years before I was 10. Now I lived a fairly isolated existence and struggle with addiction, depression and chronic insomnia.
I often wonder why I bother.
I’m so sorry ANON, please don’t give up.
I am so vey lucky. I have a wonderful family, parents not perfect, but loving and have tried to be the same with my two, now young adults. My son has/had issues, so I can only imagine how horribly abuse distorts young lifes. So very sad!
Thanks, Debbieanne. For the record, I have no intention of giving up.
My post did turn out more self-absorbed than I planned. My point was really is that abuse of children costs in real monetary terms. When kids don’t tell (or are not believed) and therefore get no support to grow into well adjusted adults the cost is borne by both the individual and the rest of society.
There are many damaged adults out here who could’ve contributed much, but instead are a drain on their communities. Even the ones who do not self-medicate or spiral into crime or homelessness. The ones who just stumble along, trying to hold down jobs, over using the health system, avoiding community involvement, and just being scared to take any risks.
I’d also like to suggest there was never any time when people got involved with what goes on in their neighbours’ houses. I keep seeing media reports asking what’s gone wrong with society when these things can go on and no one intervenes. I don’t think it’s ever been the norm to intervene. Not in the 50’s, not in the 70’s and not today.
Thanks, anon. You’re so right, nobody intervenes and nobody ever has. I get so angry when I hear people talk about the old days when things were supposedly so golden. It’s just not true. Indeed, a lot of what we now know as abuse was simply accepted as “discipline” back then.
Thanks for telling us your story. It’s sad to read it, but no doubt it’s so much sadder for you.
It’s terrible that’s it has impacted on your life so much. The bastards win in so many ways. More power to you. Bother because you matter.
Indeed. I don’t even know where to start with this one. Our justice system seems able to deal with crimes where there is a high individual cost; but those who commit crimes that exact a huge social cost – corporate fraudsters, child abusers – well our system handles them with a comparatively light touch.
I’d be interested in hearing from anyone who could analyse this issue from a “crime and punishment” perspective – because I’d like the bastards to stop winning for once. Let’s not forget there are psychological benefits to former victims who see their abuser brought down, and publicly.
I’d like to make an amendment to my previous comment and say that I know that some people who are/were abused become abusers. Given the horrific way some people are treated, it’s no surprise that this happens.
The wish would be that no abuse would happen in the first place, but if it does that they can get help asap. Don’t suffer in silence so other people suffer to.