Children at risk from stepdads [trigger warning for discussion of child abuse]

[kiwiana]

In the wake of Serenity Scott-Dinnington's death, we examine the safety of children raised by men who are not their real fathers. Sarah Harvey reports.

BABY SERENITY Scott-Dinnington died from brain injuries sustained during a violent incident at her home in Ngaruawahia 10 days ago. She was just six months old.

Now child advocates say that

Comments

[originalpuck]

Can we have a trigger warning on this post, please?

[kiwiana]

Added to the title

[originalpuck]

Thx. Can you cut this, too?

[lulahbelle]

i think it's ridiculous that the article also doesn't touch on the fact that abuse by biological fathers is probably more underreported than with cases involving other abusers.

This!
Is what I thought.

Oh how simple the world must be to these people, where stats or observations only have one interpretation or explanation like that.

[conchita_perez]

Delurking, so hi.
I think a "hey, not all men" response to an article about child abuse is grossly inappropriate. It seems like most people here and elsewhere "get" that lots & lots & lots of women & children are abused, but haven't made the connection that that is because lots & lots & lots of men are abusers. Anytime someone flips the focus from "women are victimized" to "men victimize," I see a bunch of "HDU my daddy loved me" derails.
I recognize that the father's "rights" group is twisting the data to serve its obnoxious agenda. But the fact that children are more likely to be abused when they live with unrelated men seems a rather banal observation to get all upset about. Single mothers do have to be careful about who they bring around their kids, and yes, it impacts dating life. This is one of the many reasons being a single mother is hard. I am thankful to my mother every day for all the sacrifices she made to give us a safe & stable home.

[conchita_perez]

Actually, there a quite a few people in this thread getting offended on behalf of of the menz in this thread. This sort of topic always brings that out. Also, would I be implying that pedestrians are at fault for getting hit by drunk drivers if I make the obvious point that we should look both ways before crossing the street?

[stalkedbychibis]

...This article is like a giant sand castle, only made with disgustingness instead of sand.

No, just...no.

My bio-dad was is and probably always will be a giant, abusive asshat, and I'll always be glad that my mom got out when she could.

[illuminaris]

Ugh, sometimes statistics make sense, and sometimes I just want to bash my head against a wall. I had a very loving step fatherish figure (though by no legal terms married to my mother). He was much more loving, supportive, and caring than my real father could have hoped to be. :(

[roseofjuly]

...how is this relevant to the article, though?

Many stepfathers are loving and awesome. Everyone here knows that. This article is about the ones that aren't.