I am a social worker and I came from a home with drug addiction, brutality, sexual abuse etc. What saved me after 17 foster homes and countless trips home to an extremely disfunctional homelife, was a loving foster dad who calmly wiped spit away when I attacked him and whose sense of humour and patience convinced me to take the help that was offered. Years of therapy and ongoing support from my foster family saved me from the same fate. Now I spend my time trying to help others in the same situation that I endured. The good news is, I never hurt an animal though I did turn it inwards and hurt myself. Battered children tend to id entify either with the victim or the prep. I guess self victimization was my issue. Now I am a staunch supporter of victims and of counselling those whom abuse to try to get them past their issues including drug addiction. So far, I have had good results. I guess what I am trying to say is that there is help and if the child meets the right people and gets the right kind of help, there is no telling what they can do. I use myself as an example but please do not read into this that I therefore believe anyone can overcome issues causing violence. Everyone is different and I would venture that what we are seeing is that it is not video games alone. Neglect is the largest issue facing children and historically always was. Toss in verbal, emotional and physical violence perpetrated on the child or witnessed by the child (video games, parents, tv etc) and well you get the drift. I pray that the animal. eco and human cruelty stops but until we take better care of children and teach ALL parents about violence and parenting, That simply won't happen. Therefore we need to be dilligent when we see it and call the authorities and whenever possible and safe, intervene to help the victim. This includes supporting rescue organisations and humane breeders. Sorry for the rant, its a bit personal. Warm regards to all. Lina |