Do you think a moderated group for teens that have suffered the straggle of abuse and are in the blink of suicidal thoughts would be a good asset to the hi5 community?
The Idea The structure would be as follows: Have adults supervise the group but let the members of the group depend on each other for support. Have information to hot-lines and support groups. Have information on how they can report someone being abused and who is abusing them - legally as well as confidentiality. Possibly generate a multilingual group. Have a special request section where anyone can talk to an adult (preferably someone who relates to this problem or a professional that can help or perhaps anyone with a good genuine desire to help these kids overcome their thoughts and be aware that people who care still exist).
If the adults supervising the group feel that any of these kids is in immediate danger he/she can intervene to offer a viable solution to the problem including but not limited to getting in contact with "Big Brother - Big Sister" to step in and offer a helping hand to this kid.
The Facts Many teens stay quiet either because they do not know hot to report their abusers or they are so scared they feel they don't have a way out. Teenagers tend to think that adults don't understand them. Some teenagers may not have the knowledge or resources to seek professional help. Religious and cultural facts can interfered in a teenager's decision. Lack of role models and no support from someone that cares can trigger unwanted thoughts.
The Resources Need to look for a name (Preferably something catchy to teenagers) Need to look for people who would be willing to participate in the administration and in the monitoring of the group. Need a promoting strategy plan.
I am posting this topic here because this is only an idea (most likely I won't be able to participate in it) and it would be great to have legitimate and serious people concern about "Child Protection Issues" like yourselves participate from the idea to the final results.
Hopefully Kathy won't tell me something like "I already have that covered" because she is very efficient in this subject and probably she will... ;-) but like I said "it is only an idea"
If you think this idea con go somewhere please leave your comments, opinions, and suggestions...This would be our drafting tool.
I did not posted this topic inside "How Can We Make Hi5 Better" because it could attract the wrong crowd and we need a more defined and serious group.
A year or so ago I did attempt to have a group just for teens (support each other, talk to each other, act like themselves without any adult interaction). It went quite well for about a month then fell silent. I eventually removed the group :o( ..
I also had a group like that on Netlog which lasted longer but that one too eventually went silent & I closed that one down as well.
Sadly I'm much too busy dealing with other things here on hi5 to start this project up but if anyone else can I think it would be great & would have my support.
An more developed group, Kathy... It is an outstanding idea! Needs more attention! I'll write more tomorrow! I'll work with you, mister Riderman! I love this idea! We must apply it and make not just a simple group, but an real help center that would be known all over the internet! That would help Hi5 groups too!! What do you say, Kathy? I can't analyse all details right now, but tomorrow, surely, i will! Stand by people! We need a little help from Hi5, too!... An phone call centre for closer assistance... Few Blogs at Blogger or Wordpress and, most of all, we need a family team! Strong team formed from volunteers... Hard to find as many as we need... Anyway, we'll grow step by step if this system will have positive results! We'll develop this idea! Yeah!...