Y'all know my history, so you have an idea why I would make my porch a safe haven for my son's friends. I put out snacks and stuff and just stay outside to make sure everyone's alright, because no other parents are ever outside. The kids talk to me a lot, because I'm present and they trust me. I've already had one girl come to my house late one night because her dad was hitting her with a goddamn elecrical cord. (yes I called the cops. He went to jail that night.) Now she's scared to talk to me about stuff, I can tell.

Today other kids, from multiple households, told me about their parents or step parents abusing them. I sat the older ones down and explained to them that they did the right thing by telling and that I have to do something about it, but they started denying shit when they figured out I was going to say something.

God dammit you guys. I want to help them but I need them to tell the truth. I'm going to report it, but I'm not sure they won't be too scared to speak up when it really counts, like to social services or the police. I know what it's like to be a child scared for her life, but I don't know how to get them to understand that it will be okay.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_Protective_Services