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    MidtownATLguyNeetzan Zimmerman
    5/06/13 2:15pm

    And, you know, all the publicity surrounding this ad kinda defeats the purpose of the "secret message", doesn't it?

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      cheerful_exgirlfriendMidtownATLguy
      5/06/13 2:20pm

      I think most child abusers don't consider themselves abusers but still wouldn't be interested in clicking to watch the video because of some internal feeling of wrongdoing within themselves. Just my thoughts, based on nothing besides my own life experiences.

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      evilbunnyqweenMidtownATLguy
      5/06/13 2:21pm

      Not THAT many people read Gawker, and with the new update we can see who wrote what. REMEMBER: this is a Neetzan post. Most people would rather not click it.

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    MizJenkinsNeetzan Zimmerman
    5/06/13 2:19pm

    This is brilliant. Except, of course, now all us grown folk know about it.

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      Alexander_Crouton-SkitchMizJenkins
      5/06/13 2:44pm

      That's true, but if any adult is seen covering up that part of the ad,

      BINGO - THAT'S THE GUY

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      MizJenkinsAlexander_Crouton-Skitch
      5/06/13 2:46pm

      Ha! Fair.

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    SimicCharmNeetzan Zimmerman
    5/06/13 2:44pm

    Having a number or an outlet to go to is great, but it does very little good unless the services are vigilant and care about child welfare with dire conviction.

    I grew up involved in very intense child abuse, I am 25 and have very severe PSTD regarding nearly two decades of my life where I was trapped and abused by a psychotic parent. The Department of Child and Family Services in Illinois had been called by neighbors, the police, nurses, school friends, principals, social workers and therapists at least 15 times but were unable to ever do anything other than talk to my severely abusive mother who would beat the shit out of me as soon as the car turned the table. I would regularly have bruises, black eyes, lashings from musical cables, hand and arm bruises and cuts from defending myself, bloody noses, etc. and was never ever removed from my household. I was literally told once by a DCFS social worker that they didn't have any room for another kid in the foster system, and that because my mother was pseudo-affluent that I should stay put. One woman even hinted at me being caucasian as a reason they couldn't take me once when I was 12- no shit. By the time I was 13 I had to literally beg my teachers and friends not to call the police or go to the principal because it wouldn't do anything positive. One specific incident where I was changing before gym and had to beg a locker room of adolescent boys to keep quiet about lashing marks. At 17 I was reverse-locked in my room only allowed to leave to go to work so she could steal my checks and often went hungry in there, had my credit destroyed illegally by the time I was 14, watched her kill two cats, and throughout life she called me my fathers first name every day- someone who molested me repeatedly as a young child. Eventually teachers, nurses, school social workers, and principals would just start turning a blind eye- they knew they couldn't affect the situation so they just tried to avoid it. I was never, ever helped by the system or the safehavens for youths in Chicago, the only person who ever helped me was a woman/angel who took me in when I was 18 and actually cared about my future and holistic sanctity. In a way I'm a classic example of the system failing children who are abused but a great example of someone who was saved by the kindness of one human being. This add may be just another temporary solution to a more serious problem, anyways that's how I see it- both ways.

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      Never_NudeSimicCharm
      5/06/13 3:26pm

      Jesus. I'm so sorry you had this experience. Children like you are the reason I became an attorney who works with youths in the CFS system, and the juvenile justice system. Money hides so many ills, but absolutely does not excuse any caseworker who turned his or her back on you. I wish someone had taken your case to court and exposed what was happening to a judge. You experienced sexual, physical, and emotional abuse at the hands of your caregivers, and that's inexcusable. I hope you continue in therapy and work through your trauma. You deserve a full and happy life. You don't know me, but I see you every day in the faces of my clients. Maybe that will give you some comfort—there are people who care and want children to have a safety net. Also, call your representatives. The sequester is hurting services to children and families, and we'll see a spike in family violence and neglect. It's a vicious cycle.

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      EazyPezySimicCharm
      5/06/13 3:28pm

      I am sorry to hear this. This makes me want to do more investigating on becoming a foster parent. I feel like I would make a difference. And yet, I hear from so many that I shouldn't bother. Some of the negative feedback come from counselors or former counselors themselves. The over all consensus being, you're not going to change the outcome. Sure, you might think you're on the road to improvement, but as soon as they spend a weekend with their bio parent (s), they reverse right back to acting out.

      The state does everything it can keep bio families intact and support the natural parent's right to see their kids. But this has a counter affect on the kid's recovery. It's like pulling them out from a river, only to dunk them back in periodically.

      So, I don't know what to do. I feel like these people know what they're talking about. But what if I can make a difference?

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    MissNormaDesmondNeetzan Zimmerman
    5/06/13 9:48pm

    Maybe I'm thick, but I don't see what this does that's really all that helpful. It's a cool trick, and the ad agency is breaking its arm patting itself on the back, but I don't get why hiding the phone number from the adult is that helpful, or how the kid is supposed to be able to get anything from the sign unless they're unaccompanied anyway, because they'd need to write the number down. For that matter, they'd need to be able to read, which lets out most kids under 6 right there. I'd think they'd have been better off spending the money on strategically placed TV ads during children's shows when there really is a chance the kids are watching by themselves.

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      99Telep☺dpr☹blemsNeetzan Zimmerman
      5/06/13 3:23pm

      Scatman can see the message. He's got the 'shine'.

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        SwimmingBird567Neetzan Zimmerman
        5/06/13 4:02pm

        Abusive dwarf parents will see right through this.

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          HosNBrosSwimmingBird567
          5/06/13 5:41pm

          Those people have such short tempers too!

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          FlynxxHosNBros
          5/06/13 6:17pm

          That's a tiny bit insulting to them.

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        amazingmaoNeetzan Zimmerman
        5/06/13 4:48pm

        Based on height you say?
        Tyrion Lannister is immune to your billboard trickery, and shall continue to abuse this particular child, over and over and over again.
        I trust that we're all very okay with this?

        GIF
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          OcculaNeetzan Zimmerman
          5/06/13 2:23pm

          Holy shit, that's powerful.

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            PikaDarNeetzan Zimmerman
            5/06/13 5:27pm

            Such an incredible idea and brought tears to my eyes. So wonderful if it helps any suffering child.

            *but part of me is thinking about Eric Cartman's advice*

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              PikaDarPikaDar
              5/06/13 7:45pm

              Making a terrible situation into a joke is not what I intended, but let's face it: there was this thing called the Cultural Revolution. Kids can be bratty, push power buttons, and play you big time. Being an adult has meaning. The Wisdom of Elders seems to be a thing of the past, with a bunch of meds thrown in and nursing home. Believe me, I don't claim to be wise.

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            hayesmpNeetzan Zimmerman
            5/06/13 10:53pm

            What if your abuser is a midget?

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              amazingmaohayesmp
              5/07/13 4:56am

              Please see my post below. (it's the only one with an animated gif, and game of thrones goodness)

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