Public Health Behavior Solutions/Pro Consumer Safety

THE SONG ABOUT CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS - Hell Is For Children, by Pat Benatar. When I was in high school, I first heard Pat Benatar's song "Hell Is For Children." I loved her music and its sound, but at that time, I didn't pay much attention to the lyrics. It wasn't until I was in medical school, working on my doctoral research in neuroscience at USC, that I encountered the song again and its lyrics took on a new meaning. During my time, I was also on the Child and Adolescent Suicide Death Review Team, and I assessed many cases involving child victims of trauma. I realized that Benatar's lyrics seemed to be spoken from the perspective of a child who had experienced such trauma (i.e. "they cry in the dark", "forgive and forget", "they blacken your eye and then apologize", "don't tell mommy a thing", "tell gramma you fell off the swing"). Further research revealed that she had written the song in the 1980s, inspired by what she had learned about child abuse from a New York Times article. She wrote the song to increase awareness and did a great job. This song may trigger strong emotions for some listeners, so it's important to prioritize self-care. I encourage you to take a moment to listen to it, and then explore the many comments that accompany it. There are numerous videos of this song on YouTube where adult survivors of childhood trauma share their experiences in the comment section. These comments highlight the lasting impact that child abuse and neglect can have throughout adulthood. Whether you're hearing this song for the first time or revisiting it, the lyrics convey the profound devastation of feeling trapped and unheard. Despite increased awareness of child abuse and neglect, children continue to experience traumatic situations, such as intimate partner violence, sibling abuse, and bullying in the home, while reshaping their brains to survive in that traumatic environment. Recognizing the impact of traumatic experiences on a child's brain can be challenging, especially for me, when I am aware of how these experiences can alter brain development and affect decision-making and responses throughout childhood and into adulthood. The good news is that child abuse and neglect is preventable, which is a key focus of my work. During my home visits, I care for newborns while also educating parents about infant care, brain development, and nurturing. My goal is to provide parents and caregivers with the knowledge and behavioral skills necessary to create a safe and supportive environment for their babies.