By DEBORAH FELDMAN / KING 5 NewsSEATTLE - From Children’s Hospital to Childhaven, the number of abused and neglected children in our area appears to be on the rise.
Some experts say the stressful economy is part of the problem. But during this difficult time, one Seattle teen who has benefited from Childhaven reassures others that the services they provide there makes a world of difference.
Aleesha Lysen was abandoned by her parents as an infant, and spent the next several years, along with her siblings, bouncing from one foster home to another.
"I was put into the foster care system after a lot of abuse and neglect going on at my home,” she explains.
Now 19 years old, Lysen recalls spending nearly every day at Childhaven, a resource she is grateful was available.
"I had a place to go to every single day for five years that provided me with security," said Lysen.
Childhaven was created as a day nursery 100 years ago, but the past several decades it has served as a safety net for the youngest victims of abuse and neglect. It has been a very busy place lately. In April 2008, 248 children were enrolled in their program. In April of this year, that number jumped to 288. They say desperate calls from parents and providers are skyrocketing.
Childhaven’s Andrea Solomon explains: "It's more urgent for them to get the kids in, and the calls are more frantic. They're more consistent. The other thing we're seeing too is children are staying in the program much longer because their families aren't able to move."
Many say the stresses of a poor economy are part of the problem behind local increases in child abuse and neglect. For Lysen, it has been a lifelong problem. Her mother re-entered her life when she was five, only to disappear altogether on Mother’s Day five years ago.
She has had to conquer countless demons and struggles during her 19 years, but now she is pursuing a college degree and healthy relationships. She credits her happy memories of Childhaven with bringing her strength.
"I saw it when I was little. I saw the love and the potential for healthy relationships, so now I really want that," said Lysen.
If you are worried about a child in your life, there are some signs of possible abuse and neglect to watch for. They include sudden changes in behavior or school performance, a lack of adult supervision, children not wanting to go home after school or activities, and always being watchful, as if the child is expecting something bad to happen.
The number for Childhaven’s Crisis Nursery is (206) 328-5437.
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