Purpose of research

The research question that lies at the core of this study is “what are the effects of physical abuse on a child” along with sub-question inclusive of the following:

Signs of physical abuse Issues relating to physical abuse Ways to resolve these issues

Introduction

Throughout the world history attempts were being made to solve various social issue however one of these issues is still prevalent.

According to the google,com web definition physical abuse is the act of another party involving contact intended for physical pain, injury, and other bodily harm. This has become a widespread issue affected numerous individual notably children. The effect of physical abuse is disastrous and in some cases fatal. This is sometimes being concealed and ignored hence why I chose to address this topic as the situation needs to be dealt with. There are four main types of abuse mainly physical, sexual, verbal and psychological. The case of physical abuse is sometimes neglected in Jamaica hence my theme for this portfolio” the impact of physical abuse on a child”.

This portfolio is divided into three sections:

Expository

Reflective

Analytical

In my expository section I presented a speech on my theme that was inclusive of a fundamental investigation and theoretical study involving the issue. In my reflective piece I presented a short story associated with my topic. My desire is to reveal this widespread issue. According to the children’s advocacy centers around America they served over 49,155reported case of child physical abuse. This goes to show the terrible effect despite the child’s age and gender.

In conclusion I wish the government and society will work more drastically to eliminate this issue.

Preface

Physical abuse is a widespread issue affecting numerous individual in today’s society. It is alarming however the large percentages of children who are affected by physical abuse which is inflicted by parents, loved ones and even strangers. I chose this topic to inform society on the disastrous effect of physical abuse on a child’s life both physically, emotionally and psychologically. In my story entitled “Bernadette” it entails a girl who was physically abused by her father through the frustration of losing his business. It continued to describe the effect it had on her and how she dealt with it in a negative way. She didn’t inform anyone about it not even her closest friend. It showed how her mother refused to do anything about it which aids in resulting in a tragic end for the family. My attention was drawn to this topic after being a victim of another type of abuse and knowing individual who are victim of this abuse and the challenge that it pose for them to recover in all aspects and to trust others again. I witness the pain and suffering they endured and the feeling it entails upon me to give a helping hand and be the voice of others who are in the same situation. It was also drawn to my attention the widespread intensity of this abuse, how it is being concealed in majority of the situation and the brutality of it despite the age, and gender of the child.

This information is intended for individuals of all races, gender and age group across the world. It would be my sincerest desire for this information to reach children who are suffering from physical abuse to be aware of the various measure being put in place to help them to recover such as the child’s advocate act institution and to encourage them that there are others who love them and will protect them so they shouldn’t be afraid to speak up. Also to the abusers out there that we are working hard to protect our children and that they will not get away with their cruel act towards these innocent children. I would like to implore upon the world at large to be the voice of these children and report any cases or suspected cases of a child that you think is being abused.

Finally there are various ways and means to get this information across society. If given the chance I would post them on popular internet site such as face book, twitter where it would be largely recognised. Also in newspaper and magazine such as the gleaner, famous television programs such as profile, all angles and even on popular radio stations as well. In this way it can be largely spread across all media network so individuals will play their part in trying to prevent it from occurring.

Bernadette

Bernadette sat in the graveyard in the twelfth hour staring at her father’s grave. The sky was filled with gray clouds and the wind was tossing her long black hair as she stood and cried out in a loud voice “why did this happen to me”!!!!!!!!! she sobbed as the memories replayed in her head. It occurred when her father’s (Keith Johnson) business faced bankruptcy. She remembered his tall posture and tearful eyes breaking the news while her short brown mother hugged him .

Following that, all she ever saw in his eyes were hatred and anger when he looked at her, he dranked heavily and beat her leaving numerous scares and bruises. She was defenceless against him and felt sad watching the curious eyes on her at school when she walked slowly due to discomfort and pain when walking. She remembered her mother (Sandra Johnson

) reaction when a friend inquired about a burn mark, how she talked quickly cried excuse as they quickly hurried on. She cried to sleep at night hating god and her mother for being uncaring.

Bee leaned against her father’s grave as the torturing memories continued. She remembered how her academic performance decrease and her teachers quarrelled becomes worse and in frustration she attacked him violently beating him with chair and screaming out “mi hate yuh lef mi alone”!!!! It was Jesse Jackson who intervened and pulled her away. Despite their pleading she got two (2) weeks suspension. While on their way home Jesse inquired about it.

“Why yuh fight Mr. Cummings bee wah wrong”

“Nuttin mi juss stress”

He noticed a swelling at her side when she shifted uncomfortably when he hugged her. When he inquired about it he saw fear in her eyes as she said a quick goodbye and limped off pulling away from him. “I want to help you please let me” she could see the deep concern as she ran away. Bernadette stopped a few blocks from home her heart pounded in fear of her father. She knew for sure that he had heard about the incident. What should she do?? Could she creep in without being seen???

.

She opened the door and was about to creep in slowly but she was meeted by her father with a machete he grabbed her before she could ran. “Please dad am sorry please don’t beat me” “weh get innah yuh pickney a fight teacha a school! He beat her mercilessly despite her pleading mother tried to drag him away when bee’s body was cut and blistered all over along with a swollen head. He ignored her and she intervened by fighting him. at that moment bee manage to crawled out the door. She limped on in pain trying to run but her body was engulfed in pain. She phone and dialled Jesse number and whispered “help me” before fainting in the grass. Her father realizing that she was gone went after her. Jesse found her and rushed her to the hospital while crying “please don’t die bee don’t leave me”

Upon arriving Jesse started screaming” help doctor she is dying”!!!!He tripped and fell with bee in his hand the doctors came rushing in and took bee away on a stretcher “she was unconscious and was place on a life support machine as she was in a coma.

Bee’s father came back in a frightened state “mi caah find har” he scratched his head in panic and walk in and out of the kitchen. His wife replied,

“You stupid idiot this could mean prison sentence for us” he tried to hug her but she pulled away and went across the room to sit crying and mumbling “mi nuh waah go a prison weh mi ago do”

After they got Jesse under control they inquired what happen and he told them and gave them the address of bee’s home. The police went there and arrest both parents and hold them in custody. two weeks later bee woke up staring into Jesse tearful eyes and he hugged her in relief and started crying he tried talking but the words wouldn’t come out the doctors took him away while the nurse try questioning bee as she knelt down at her bed “I am nurse Simpson Bernadette who did this to you” bee stared in the eyes of the nurse before whispering the words “my father” She contained fracture ribs, bruises and brain damage. Her father was sentence to death and her mother to 30 years in prison for child neglect.

Bee stared at the grave being a psychiatrist she dedicate her life in helping abuse children and her husband Jesse is a children lawyer where he fights for the right and protection of children. Bee turned around to see Jesse outstretched arms and they walked away hand in hand.

Analysis and interpretation

In this piece of information I seek to analyse my original piece entitled Bernadette and how each aspect of register and communicative behaviour was revealed in the story depicting its mood, tone and the characters fluently.

Communicative behaviour in its various forms was revealed in numerous ways. At the commencing of the story the usage of vocalist was revealed when Bernadette screamed out in the grave yard “it would have depicted various emotions inclusive of anger frustration and hurt. It continued in her angry words after attacking her teacher Mr. Cummings. Her actions revealed the pain and emotional distress that she was experiencing which filled her with anger. Being a victim of physical abuse she becomes violent and taking out her anger on the teacher. Vocalist could be depicted in Jesse’s inquiration about the fight which revealed his love and concern towards Bernadette action. He suspected that something was wrong when he saw the swelling and noticed the fear in her eyes; however she was hiding the problem even when we state that he wanted to help her. Jesse screaming upon reaching the hospital shows the frighten and worried stated that he was in. he experience a shock of finding bee unconscious mixed with worrying as to whether or not she would die.

Bee’s father introduced another aspect of vocalist with his angry tone shouting at Bernadette when she came home from school after receiving the suspension. The tone in his voice was mixed with anger about her behaviour towards the teacher. Her father Mr. Johnson action would have been blamed for the result of stress which shaped him into a heartless father who couldn’t see the destructive effect that his action was having on his child which was the reason for the fight. His lack of emotion towards her led him to beat her mercilessly despite her pleading and helpless condition which would have resulted fatally if the mother didn’t intervene. His tone was changed to one of worry when he couldn’t find her not due to her but to the trouble they would be in with the authorities. Bees mother in frustration started to mumble “a don’t wanna go to prison weh mi ago do” her voice revealed fear of being imprisoned. It is revealed that both parents didn’t care for bee or seems to love her.

In the aspect of movements was revealed in numerous occasions by the characters. In the second paragraph of the story Bernadette’s slow movement while walking to class shows the discomfort she was enduring due to pain from various beating. It is also revealed in the eye that bee was receiving from her father being filled with hatred after the bankruptcy occurred and at school when everyone seems to become aware of her slow movement which made her feel uncomfortable. Her uncomfortable shifting when Jesse hugged her allowed him to ponder as to why she was acting like that. Her actions would have given the impression that her side is bruised and can be also interpreted of nervousness or tension when being hugged.

Her father in and out movement of the kitchen shows his anxiety and fear when bee couldn’t be found while on the other hand Mrs. Johnson her mother action of running off after a friend inquired about bees burn mark. This would have also developed an interpretation of the mother that she is simply hiding the matter while on the other hand well aware of the situation

. Mixed feeling could be developed about bee’s mother as she seemed to care when she intervened to prevent her husband from killing bee yet she seemed to be afraid of the father.

Chronemics was another aspect of communicative behaviour that was revealed in the story.

It occurred in Bernadette’s mother swift movement to prevent herself from answering her friend about bee’s burn mark. Her attitude revealed that she was hiding the truth. Bee also displayed this when she said a quick goodbye to Jesse and running off when he inquired about her side her attitude also revealed that she was avoiding the question and that rose suspiciousness in Jesse.

Speech