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Wednesday 25 March 2009

Behind Closed Doors.....

Following the public outcry after the death of Baby P, who was tortured and killed by his so called mother and her lover...

From the Times online
After 17 months enduring abuse of an almost unimaginable cruelty, the boy had been reduced to a nervous wreck, his hair shaved to the scalp and his body covered in bruises and scabs. Physical injuries included eight broken ribs, a broken back and the missing top of a finger, while the emotional damage was almost incalculable. Despite it all, Baby P was said to have still attempted a smile. Read more here


many people here and abroad took to the streets in charity walks and fundraising events. One woman, Elaine Woolacott, decided to organise a March in her own town of Exeter and other fundraising events, then decided she wanted to publish a small booklet filled with poems which the public had donated. That was when Elaine Denning (Liebfraumilch & Lipstick) offered to help do it on a bigger scale, by publishing a book of stories, photographs, poetry and artwork from people young and old.   All their hard work has resulted in the book "Behind Closed Doors" being published and is available to buy from Blurb.   If you click here it will take you straight to the book where you can preview the first 15 pages and, of course, buy it if you want to. All proceeds are going to the NSPCC in memory of Baby P and all the other children who have lost their lives through abuse. If you do decide to buy the book, Blurb have kindly agreed to free p&p up to the value of £10.00. Just enter NSPCC (no spaces and in caps) into the promo box and remember to click the apply button.





I purchased a copy of the book and I can tell you it is beautiful. Some of the stories are harrowing, but all of them are honest and well written. The photographs are amazing and the whole thing has been put together with love and care. All the proceeds of the book go to the NSPCC, to help children like Baby P who are being abused, beaten, mistreated. Please take a look, hopefully you will buy a copy, every book sold will make a difference.

Congratulations to Elaine Woolacott, Elaine Denning and all the contributors – I hope you sell millions, you are all stars.

29 comments:

Elaine Denning said...

Awww, thanks Ak for writing about this. It was really sweet of you. The sales are going well, but of course a few more would be wonderful...so perhaps with this little bit of promotion, that may happen.

Thanks so much for buying a copy too. It really means a lot to get the support of my blogging buddies. xxx

Maggie May said...

Must look out for that book.
It was a truly shocking case, Baby P, but that was just one of many poor little children.
Can't understand why people have to behave like that.I'm sure most of us can't.

skywind said...

Late at night, and we should be close to bed.
Health information
Humor & Fun World

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

i have often said we only see people's facades. what lies behind that smile, that frown, that look...

smiles, bee
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Shrinky said...

How wonderful a little good might come from so much sorrow. Well done for highlighting this, I'm off to trot over there now.

Daryl said...

I am always sickened when I read stories in our newspapers about children who 'slip through the cracks' .. our CWS is less than effective as long as any child is abused and authorities are not called.

Thank you for this post and for bringing this book to the attention of other bloggers

Anonymous said...

I too do not like to read stories like that about Children in our Newspapers or see them on TV. But at least some good might develop.

Nessa said...

Sounds like a very worthwhile project.

Dr.John said...

Sounds like a great book.
I had a friend whose father abused him, his mother, and two sisters. When he was twelve and the father was hitting the mother he hit his father with a baseball bat and killed him.
He had to live with those memories all his life.

Ron said...

Thanks so much for passing on this information to us, Akelamalu!

I will definitely stop by and preview the first 15 pages. This sounds like something I would be very interested in reading!

X

buffalodick said...

Nice people will always outnumber the bad guys...

cheshire wife said...

Unbelievable what some people will do to their own flesh and blood.

Akelamalu said...

You're very welcome Laney it is my pleasure to promote such a wonderful cause.

That's the terrible thing about it Maggie, Baby P wasn't just a one off it's happening all the time all over the place! The book isn't on general sale BTW you have to follow the link to Blurb.

Skywind what?

Oh yes, I agree with you Bee and I know from experience what lies behind. :(

I do hope the NSPCC makes a lot of money out of the book Shrinky then hopefully they can make a difference to children like Baby P.

Too many children slip through the net Daryl, even one is too many. :(

I know, it's so upsetting Thom, thank goodness there are people like the two Elaine's that get off their bums to help eh?

Yes I think it is Nessa, hopefully it will make a difference. :)

Oh Dr John that is so tragic! I feel for the man, and the boy he was, to have been through such a terrible ordeal. :(

Do let me know what you think Ron. It may be a strange thing to say but the book is beautiful!

I hope so Buff, I really hope so. x

Totally unbelievable and incomprehensible Cheshire Wife :(

aims said...

Abuse of any sort is horrible to take. Having survived more than my fair share I just can't imagine what a little baby would think.

Ya - I knew this would happen if I commented on this. Must go and find some kleenex now.

G-Man said...

You are so beautifully gracious Ake...

Julia Phillips Smith said...

If there's one thing in the world that moves me more than anything else, it's the harm done to children. Applause to Elaine Woolacott and Elaine Denning for putting together this book and for taking action on the part of those too tiny to fend for themselves. And ((hugs)) to you, too, Akelamalu for showcasing their efforts.

Spiky Zora Jones said...

sweetie...you shine as they do as well.

Nothing hurts me more than the abuse of children. I can't help but tear up...whenever I hear of it.

There realy are monsters on this planet.

Ciao sweetie...I'll order mone too.

Anonymous said...

Good for them for publicising the problem. I can't read it, though - I hear too many of the stories in my everyday work.

Travis Cody said...

I will never understand the mentality that allows a person to be so incredibly cruel to a helpless child.

Cloudia said...

From sunny Spain
to the darker precincts of the human (?!) condition.
Your blog takes us through it all; through life itself.

I, for one, would not like to miss a day of it, my friend. aloha & blessings to YOU

Linda said...

I can't read stories of abuse when it comes to children as they are just too, too sad and I deal with even crap in my day-to-day job that to put more on top of it would probably do me in. In spite of what some others may think, I have a heart that breaks for others quite easily.

I do hope, though, that sell millions and millions of these books to wake up the people who go around blissfully unaware that there are so many children out there who are hurting.

nitebyrd said...

I clicked the link to read the story. I though things like this only happened in the US. I'm so saddened by this baby's story. I also hope that millions of this book get sold.

Akelamalu said...

I know you've been through a lot Aims, sorry if it upset you m'dear. x

Aw thanks G-man x

It always reduces me to tears to hear/read about children being hurt in any way too Julia :(

Thanks Spiky it's for a great cause and it really is a lovely book. :)

You're doing a job that not everyone (including me) could do Citizen, you're doing your bit m'dear. xx

Me neither Trav, they're not human are they? :(

That's life isn't it Cloudia - dizzy heights and lowly depths.

I know you see/hear/deal with traumatic things every day Linda, a job that not many would envy m'dear. xx

It is a terrible story Nitebyrd but unfortunately it does happen all over the world. :(

THE COOTS CLAN BLOG MODERATOR said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Robin said...

this is just sickening. i guess social services over there is as bad as over here. and what about neighbors, family, etc? i WILL never understand how people can let a child be abused. thanks for bringing this story to your blog.

you do the world a great service just by being you.

RiverPoet said...

It's almost too much for me to take to read about or hear about these stories. I get physically ill. But I hope awareness is raised by this book and the effort.

As Edmund Burke is reported to have said, "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing"

D

Akelamalu said...

I think social services are the same the world over Robin unfortunately. People just don't want to get involved do they, but I would!

Akelamalu said...

I know what you mean Riverpoet, it is sickening. Edmund Burke's quote is so right - too many people turn a blind eye don't they? :(

Marshall Family said...

The baby p situation was just so sad. It really makes you consider how much hurt is being caused which we do not know about. Thank you for linking to the book, I will certainly put it on my wanted list xx