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Young women in today's society face increasing pressures to fit the mold that our society says they should fit into. Between the harmful messages the media often portrays, pressure from friends and family, and the desire to fit in; girls often find themselves in a battle between believing what society says they need to be and the truth that God says about them as His daughters. There is no defining factor in which girls will thrive and which girls will struggle. It could be your daughter, your friend, your sister, or your student from any socio-economic class. Our ministry aims to reach out to girls who struggle with some of the common issues among young women today with the love of Christ. We also have the desire to educate you as a parent, student leader, or friend about these issues so that you will be better equipped to reach out to those girls in your life who may be struggling. Girls are searching for someone to take notice, love them and to take the time to listen. Will you be the one who will take notice and walk along side of a girl who is hurting? |
Statistics (according to ChildhelpUSA) *There are nearly 3 million reports of child abuse made annually *The rate of child abuse is estimated to be 3 times greater than what is reported *An estimated 906,000 children are victims of abuse and neglect every year *Children who have been sexual abused are 3.8 times more likely to develop drug addictions *80% of young adults who have been abused meet the diagnostic criteria for at least 1 psychiatric disorder at the age of 21 *More than 1 in 4 teenage girls in a relationship report enduring repeated verbal abuse *Nearly 1 in 5 teenage girls who have been in a relationship said a boyfriend had threatened violence or self-harm if presented with a breakup |
Abuse Hotlines Childhelp USA Hotline: 1-800-4-A-CHILD National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-659-HOPE National Teen Dating Abuse Hotline: 1-866-331-8453 |
The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 |
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Abuse Defined *Emotional Abuse: When the actions or speech of another tear apart anothers self confidence, self worth, and trust in their own perceptions and ideas. *Physical Abuse: Involves physical violence or force that results in injury, pain or suffering of another. *Sexual Abuse: Any type of non-consensual physically sexual contact with another. *Domestic Violence: emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse between members of the same household |
Recommended Reading A Safe Place: Hope and Healing for Teens by Jan Morrison
Learning to Trust Again: A Young Womans Journey of Healing from Sexual Abuse by Christa Sands 
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If you have sufferered from past abuse, you need to know that what was done to you was NOT your fault! The shame and guilt you feel does not belong to you but to the one who selfishly hurt you. Please, if you are someone who has been abused or are currently being abused, please talk to a trusted parent, friend or counselor and seek out help. You do not have to suffer in silence. God has a bigger plan for you than a life of secrets and shame! Let Him take the broken pieces of your life caused by the abuse and make them into pieces of beauty that can be used to reach out to others around you. I know because God has taken this girls' broken heart and is currently using the pain of my past to reach out to others all for His glory. A girl who once prayed, "God I hurt, please don't waste this pain" now can say, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him." Remember you aren't alone in this. Even in pain God has a purpose. If you need to talk with someone about your story please contact us. --Stephanie Lampman Founder of RBL Ministries |
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Statistics *90% of those who self injure begin harming themselves during their teen years or younger *Every 20 minutes a young person self injures as a way of coping *Almost 50% of those who abuse themselves begin at the age of 14 and continue into their 20's |
Self-Harm Treatment
Resources You will find tools, resources, and helps by clicking on the link below: Find Freedom |
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Remember: *Do not try to shame the girl into stopping, instead inquire and offer a listening ear. *Taking away items used to self-harm may not be effective because as the drive to self-injure gets overwhelming girls will find a way regardless of whether or not they have their usual self-harm tools available. *Respond with concern not anger *Confront the lies behind the self-injury with truth *Understand that stopping self-harm is not easy, but freedom from self-harm is possible *Listen first, then respond appropriately |
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Self Harm Defined Self-injury is an addictive behavior in which one harms her body in an attempt to cope with life by using external physical pain to deal with internal emotional pain. It is not a suicide attempt although it can unintentionally lead to suicide. Self injury is also sometimes referred to as self-harm, self-abuse, self-injury and cutting. Self-injury has many forms but the most prevelent forms are cutting and burning. It is widely spread among teen girls around the world however it is not often taken seriously or talked about.
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Why Do Girls Self-Injure? I think one of the first questions people ask when they find out someone is cutting themselves or performing another type of self harm is "Why? Why would anyone cut themselves?" There are many reasons teen girls feel the need to self injure. *To feel alive: Many girls who self-harm have periods of dissociation or "numbing out" when dealing with extreme stress. This often is true when a girl has gone through a past trauma in their life. Often depression also goes hand in hand with self-injury. It is during these times that the girl self-harms in a desperate attempt to feel something. *As a form of self punishment: Many girls feel guilt and shame about different aspects of their lives. They may be holding onto the secrets of abuse in the past or are currently being abused of which they feel responsible. They may have a deep sense of self-hatred. It is this guilt, self-hatred, or sense of "being a failure" that leads them to take their anger out on themselves. *To express emotion: Sometimes, a teen might either be told or percieve that in their family of origen their feelings didn't matter. In an attempt to express and deal with emotions, some girls self-harm. *To cope with the stresses of life: Many girls feel overwhelmed by what they face in their day to day lives. A girl may feel pressured either by self or others to succeed in everything or do everything perfectly. Many girls don't know how to deal with these pressures and stresses in life, so they turn to self-injury. *To stay alive: Many girls who self-harm struggle with suicidal thoughts and they feel as if the only way to keep themselves from suicide is to self-harm. |
The Myths Many do not understand what would drive someone to harm themselves and it brings up many questions in their minds. These questions can lead to many misconceptions. Myth #1: Self-injury is just an attention-seeking behavior Myth #2: Self-injury is a suicide attempt Myth #3: Self-injury is just a phase or a fad The Truth Though there are some teens who self-harm in a desperate attempt to feel loved and accepted, most girls who self-harm aren't looking for attention. In fact many go to great lengths to hide their cuts and scars out of shame and fear. Some want someone to take notice so that they can get the help they need but they do not self-harm primarily to get attention from others. Self-harm is not a intentional suicide attempt. Though many teens who self-harm also struggle with suicidal thoughts, the self-injury in itself is not an attempt. It is important to understand however that self-injury can get so out of control that it can lead to suicide. It is never appropriate to brush self-injury off as something that is not a big deal. It is a real problem with real dangers. Self-harm is not just a fad, so don't expect it to just go away. Girls who seriously struggle with self-harm do just that struggle. What might start out as an experiment, soon turns into a full-blown addiction. Many who self-harm need help to stop. |
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Statistics (according to the SC Department of Mental Health) *Anorexia is the third most common chronic illness among adolescents *95% of those who have an eating disorder are between 12-25 years old *80% of thirteen year olds have attempted to lose weight *50% of girls between the ages of 11-13, see themselves as overweight *20% of people struggling with an eating disorder will prematurely die from complications related to their disorder, including suicide and heart problems *The mortality rate for associated with anorexia nervousa is 12 times higher than the death rate of ALL causes of death for females between 15-24 years old |
Facts (information from www.anad.org) ANAD Ten Year Study *Eating Disorders are Widespread and Destructive *Eating disorders cause immeasurable suffering for individuals and their families. *Eating disorders have reached epidemic levels in America: Seven to ten million women One million men
*All segments of society are affected: Men and women, young and old, rich and poor, all ethnicities, all socio-economic levels. |
Eating Disorder Treatment
Resources You will find tools, resources, and helps by clicking on the link below: Find Freedom |
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For You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:13-14 |
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Eating Disorders Defined *Anorexia Nervousa: the act of starving oneself which leads to excessive weight loss *Bulimia Nervousa: when one consumes large amounts of food, which usually produces intense anxiety which leads the person to rid themselves of the food by vomiting, overusing laxatives and excessive exercise *Compulsive Overeating: when one has an obsessive/complusive relationship with food which often occurs as a result of emotional upheaval in ones life *Eating Disorder-NOS: when one demonstrates the behaviors of an eating disorder and has tendancies toward an eating disorder however remain at a healthy weight
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Repercussions of Anorexia and Bulimia (information from www.anad.org) Malnutrition Dehydration Ruptured stomach Serious heart, kidney, and liver damage Tooth/gum erosion Tears of the esophagus Depression Low self-esteem Shame and guilt Impaired family and social relationships Mood swings Perfectionism
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Recommended Reading
I'm Beautiful, Why Can't I See It? by Kimberly Davidson 
Starved: Mercy for Eating Disorders by Nancy Alcorn 
Girl Perfect by Jennifer Strickland 
Other Books: Behind the Broken Image by Debra Cooper Soul Hunger by Sandy Richardson Loving Your Body: Embracing Your True Beauty in Christ by Dr. Deborah Newman Mom, I Feel Fat: Becoming Your Daughters Ally to a Healthy Body Image by Sharon A. Hersh |
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Statistics *Nearly half (46%) of all 15-19 year olds in the U.S. have had sex at least once *82% of teen pregnancies are unplanned; they account for about one in five unintended pregancies annually *11% of all U.S. births are to teens
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Help for Pregnant Teens
Remember abstinence is the best way to prevent teen pregnancy! Respect yourself and stay sexually pure until marriage. You are worth it! If you are a teen girl who is currently pregnant or has been in the past, remember your past is the past and you can make a commitment to remain sexually pure until marriage. If you would like to speak with someone about your current situation please contact Katie Drake, Executive Director of a program called No Messing Around. You may also email restoredbyloveministries@gmail.com. |
Resources You will find more resources, and helps by clicking on the link below: Find Freedom |
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 "Digital image content © 1997-2007 Hemera Technologies Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Jupiter Images Corporation. All Rights Reserved". |
Recommended Reading
I'm Pregnant...Now What? by Ruth Graham 
Life Interrupted: The Scoop on Being a Young Mom by Tricia Goyer 
And the Bride Wore White by Dannah Gresh 
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Statistics (obtained from teendrugabuse.net and medicinenet.com)
*In the U.S. about 3,000 teens smoke their first tobacco cigarette each day. About one-third of these adolescents become daily smokers. *In 2004, the percentage of adolescents who have used any drug in the past month was about 27% *Alcohol kills more youth than all other illecit drugs combined |
Drug Addiction Rehab/Treatment
Resources You will find tools, resources, and helps by clicking on the link below: Find Freedom |
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Drug Addiction Defined A drug addiction occurs when a person is physically or/and mentally dependant on a drug in which when they stop using the substance they have serious withdrawl symptoms. Any addiction to something is an act of putting your confidence and security in something that truly is a false security. Those with drug addictions need help through a rehab center because of the medical issues that can result during the initial stages of rehabilitation. It's important that these be treated and monitored by a professional. |
Recommended Reading
Trapped: Mercy for Addictions by Nancy Alcorn 
Loving the Addict, Hating the Addiction by Kecia C. Sims 
Lost and Found by Christy Crandell 
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