An introduction to: Cupboard Boy: A shockingly true story.

Cupboard Boy(Available to buy on Amazon)

Introduction-

The following is a harrowing story, and maybe as distressing to read, as it is for me to write it. However, the events that took place during the years 1963 to 1980 need to be recorded, for the sake of future generations of children to come, and out of respect to all the children who have already suffered and perished at the hands of demonic parents.

I also hope that the people who are tasked to protect children, The Government, Social Services, teachers and anyone with an ounce of decency. Will learn from my siblings and my experiences.

You would think that forty years on, that child abuse would be a thing of the past. It isn’t. Disgustingly, the problem is probably worse now than it ever was then. Back in the 1960s and 70s.

Child abuse is not just about children being brutally beaten or sexually abused. There are many more ways that sadistic and inadequate parents can harm and destroy a child’s life. The list is endless! 

Now, at the age of fifty-seven, and having served in the Parachute Regiment, the SAS, and been involved in two wars. During which time, I witnessed some of the most horrific sights and events which still haunt me thirty years on. However, what happened to me and my step-siblings has had a far more significant effect on my mental well-being.

I now work as a teaching assistant in a secondary school, and at times it’s like being back in a war zone. As well as the disruptive and aggressive behaviour, foul language, and complete disrespect shown to the teaching staff, I also see the many signs of child abuse on a daily basis. I see children going hungry, who’s lunch boxes, if they have one, contain only a dry slice of bread or a few biscuits. Then there are the ones who come to school wearing clothes that have not been washed for weeks on end and have shiny black dirty cuffs and collars. I also see that the kids wearing them are often further verbally abused by their peers because they smell or they are not wearing designer trainers. These children will often rebel and become aggressive, or become depressed and will withdraw into themselves and even contemplate suicide.

Yes, unfortunately, I have lost a student to suicide

These days we are far too quick to blame poor concentration, low achievement and wrong behaviour on the fact that the children have Attention deficit hyperactivity ADHD or Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and instead of tackling the real causes, parental inadequacy or just pure parental abuse. These kids have often been prescribed stimulants such as Ritalin or Adderall. Drugs that are addictive and which in my opinion, can in adulthood lead to an addiction to other “Feelgood drugs” such as Cannabis and Heroine.

A child doesn’t have to have a black eye or bruised ribs to be classified as an abused. Child abuse takes on many forms, from not being fed to being over-fed, from being ignored to being screamed at. There are so many ways in which parents can abuse their children; it would take me forever to list them.

Please read this book with an open mind. It has been written to inform and educate rather than entertain.