letsleavewonderland

[letsleavewonderland]

Born of a mother, a child still in bloom,

Who birthed me to fill her own silent room.

The warmth, the embrace that once held us tight, 

Faded so swiftly, like stars in the night.

Before I could speak, or walk without fall,

I was bruised by a man who didn't love me at all.

He said I wasn't his; I could see in his eyes, 

The hurt in his words, the pain in his lies.

He'd leave me standing, sagging with age, 

In a world made of fear, and unholy rage.

Diapers soaked, hands small and wide,

Scrubbed raw with steel as I trembled inside.

A child's mistake, with markers in hand,

Paid in blood, with layers of skin to withstand.

Before | was five, life was already grim,

Adopted by one, whose soul was dim.

He brought smoke and darkness into our space,

And turned our World to a sinister place.

Inhale, he commanded, a child forced to obey,

While my sister was at school I was away 

Being Passed around like a whisper, fragile and thin,

By the hands of men who knew only knew how to sin.

Kidnapped by a father who hated me still,

But I would have stayed, taken the bitter pill. 

For in his abuse, I found a twisted grace, 

Hoping my sister wouldn't take my place.

By eight, the wish for life began to fade,

In the halls of school, my only escape was made.

Yet with each passing year, the silence grew loud,

No hands to hold, no love to be proud.

At twelve, I sought refuge where shadows dwell,

In the depths of the internet's haunting spell.

A predator found me, like a moth to flame,

By thirteen, I carried the weight of the shame.

Pregnant and lost, I forced it away,

So he wouldn't face bars for the games we would play.

I blamed myself, for the lies I had told,

A child lost in a world too cold.

At fifteen, the trauma took hold of my mind,

Repressed, forgotten, and feeling left behind.

I wandered through life, trying to replace,

The things I was forced into, that empty space.

 In search of love, I found only pain,

In the arms of abusers, again and again.

Now I stand at thirty, but yesterday still calls,

A girl trapped in time, as the memory falls.

Half my life stolen, lost in the past,

But the echo of pain-forever will last.

Yet through all the darkness, I stand here today,

A survivor of battles no child should replay.

For though the world tried to break me in two,

I rise from the ashes, stronger, renewed.

[letsleavewonderland]

Living in North Carolina, I’ve been feeling the full force of Hurricane Helene as it hit here hard, and we’re still without power. The damage is staggering, but what breaks my heart the most is seeing what it did to Chimney Rock. I used to visit there every year as a child, and knowing the beauty of that place is now scarred feels deeply personal.

Sending love and strength to everyone affected by Hurricane Helene on the East Coast. 🙏🏽 The destruction has been heartbreaking, and my thoughts are with all those who have lost homes, security, and peace in the wake of this storm.

A special thank you to the first responders, linemen, and volunteers working tirelessly to clear debris, restore power, and bring life back to some sense of normalcy. The resilience of communities coming together in these tough times is nothing short of inspiring. Stay safe, everyone. May we all find hope and healing in the days ahead. 🌧💙 #HurricaneHelene #EastCoastStrong #ThankYouFirstResponders #StaySafe

[letsleavewonderland]

Internet Safety Tips for Folks Under 18! <3

I'm writing this because it was brought to my attention that at least one of my followers/readers is 11! Years! Old! How do I know this? Because they publicly announced it! AHH!!! OH NO!

This made me practically lose my mind, because holy shit, internet safety is NOT taught like it used to be!! Are there no more assemblies or class gatherings where you watch internet safety PSA videos anymore? Or learn about it in the library? Like shit!!! Anyway, here is, in the simplest terms, tips I learned when I was under 18 that have kept me not only alive, but thriving and happy on the internet.

What Information is Appropriate/Safe for Me to Share Online?

Very little! Very, VERY little! It would be easier if I told you what NOT to share online! DO NOT SHARE: -Your age/that you are a minor. -Your state, province, or country of origin. -When you are going to school/if you are starting school. -Establishments (restaurants, activity places, etc) that may or may not be in your local area. -Any medical diagnoses (mental or physical). -Any traumatic events or triggers. (We'll come back to this). -Any other details of your day-to-day schedule. -Details about your relationship with family members. -What you are/are not allowed to do. -Passwords or personal emails/phone numbers/contact points.

It's completely fine to share: -Your interests. -Fun anecdotes from your day. -Things you are excited about (not relating to your daily schedule). -What you're eating/drinking/making. -Etc.

I know it sounds cheesy, but you should make it your goal to be unidentifiable online. People do genuinely want to use this information, information about YOU for bad reasons. We already know that data brokers exist- and that there have been massive data leaks in the last few years regarding adults/18+ folks personal information. Those people usually have the agency and ability to reclaim some of that privacy and get their lives back on track. You don't. In addition to that, sharing little snippets of information about yourself from the 'do not share' category can build up over time. It might not feel like much at the time, but it can become pretty easy to identify you with even two or three of those pieces of information. We've seen no-profile having folks on TikTok be doxxed with less.

By that extent, I recommend minimizing the images you post of yourself online, especially if you cannot monitor/approve of who follows you. It can be equally as easy for strangers to figure out where you live based on images you share online, especially if those show your face and places your frequent. We can doubt that the GeoGeussr guy might not use his powers for evil, but plenty of other people absolutely can.

Who is Trustworthy Online?

Short Answer: NO ONE!

If someone you meet in a server says they're your age? No they're not! If someone says they want to be your friend and give you free things/games/etc? No they don't! If you think someone is safe enough to share something personal with online? No they're not! If someone randomly adds you for the purpose of making friends? They are not your friend! If someone says 'you're mature for your age'? No! You're! Not!

It's easy to form attachments to people online. It might be because everyone is 'anonymous' (which is also not true, no one is every truly anonymous online) that it's easier for you to imagine a stranger to be a certain way. Or you might look up to someone a lot because of the things they make or produce. These people, even if you get along with them or share interests with them, are not your friend- and will never be 100% trustworthy. (Of course, there are very rare acceptations- I don't want to be a hypocrite. Two of my very best friends are people I met online and have now met in person. When you become an adult and are able to more easily move around and escape situations -via transportation, access to your own money, not needing to rely on others/adults to assist you, then you can decide to proceed with relationships.)

Additionally, people online especially will never offer you something 'for free'. It will always have a cost- that might be your time, your personal information, or access to you via video or audio call or other personal things.

1- Never accept random phone, audio, or video calls on any social media platform. Do not accept random friend requests either. 2- It is absolutely okay to say 'no', to block people who you don't like or make you uncomfortable, even if those people get mad. Your safety comes before other people's happiness. 3- Never accept 'gifts' from online friends, especially if they are much older than you. 4- Do not click on random links sent by friends or shared on uncertified websites, especially download links. Even mod packs or pirated games can hide viruses, malware, or phishing links- things that can steal your personal information saved to your devices, or that can destroy your devices from the inside out. 5- If you feel uncomfortable or unsure of how to handle a situation, report and block the person involved, and/or contact a moderator, site-manager, or trusted IRL adult.

Online harassment and bullying is also quite scary. This can come in many forms: -People trying to steal information from you. -People shaming you for your appearance. -People shaming you for engaging in the things you enjoy. -People shaming, name calling, or ganging up on you to make fun of you. -Targeted crap-talking towards groups of people by other groups or individuals. -Being told to harm yourself, or that life would be better without you (not true!).

If this occurs to you, block and report the user/s. If you happen to know the person harassing and bullying yourself and others in real life, inform someone in real life as well. Make sure to take screen shots and save them! However, make sure you understand the difference between bullying and someone trying to correct bad behavior or help you. Both can feel very embarrassing at first, but most of the time, people trying to help improve online communities (and you!) will not be shameful, harassing, or bullying. It's okay to feel embarrassed for not understanding particular rules or community standards, but do not take that embarrassment out on others.

Managing Your Own Online Experience

This one might sting for some folks, especially adults who haven't learned it yet, but: YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN ONLINE EXPERIENCE!

We're circling back to telling people online what your traumas and triggers are. Of course, a lot of things happen offline. It can be frustrating to come online as an escape and find something that triggers you or reawakens trauma, or even things that simply discomfort you. When it comes to things that traumatize or trigger you, block the source: Block people who cross your boundaries. Report those who break site guidelines (not people who do things you don't like- who break site guidelines). Block pages that might show things that frighten you. Do not visit websites that are known for certain traumatizing/inappropriate content. Turn on SafeSearch features. You don't even have to inform these people- do not engage, just disconnect. It's not cringe to want to optimize your online experience for your own safety, happiness and comfort!

When it comes to things that make you uncomfortable: Understand the difference between things that are traumatizing/triggering, and things that make your unhappy/uncomfortable/that you personally dislike. There is a difference. While you absolutely should have a safe and comfortable online experience, it is not appropriate or safe to approach people telling them to change X Y Z thing about what they post, discuss, or share. It's not appropriate to threaten, harass, or shame others for engaging in content that you might not like personally, or even engaging versions/aspects of that media in a way you might not yourself. The easiest way to avoid it? Don't engage with it. The instant you start to comment and complain, you're potentially outing yourself as a minor, AND telling the website algorithm that you want to see MORE of this thing you dislike, simply by engaging with it. It's a double whammy. Remember that, while your happiness and safety comes first, that does not come at the expense of other's wellbeing or enjoyment, unless that wellbeing or enjoyment is an active risk of physical or genuine harm to you that you cannot otherwise block yourself.

Finally, keep in mind that Adult Spaces/18+ spaces ARE NOT DESIGNED FOR YOU, WITH YOU IN MIND, OR FOR YOUR BENEFIT! It might feel and sound very exciting and even satisfying to get into an adult space unnoticed. However, these spaces are not meant for you- they often do NOT have all of the same safety tools as other 'public' online spaces. You are also putting yourself and the adults in the community at risk: Adults who may engage with you as an adult, because it's an adult-only space, without knowing you're a minor- as well as potentially engaging with adults who won't care whether or not you're a minor. Be especially mindful if an adult has a DNI specific to minors: that person DOES NOT want to engage with you. You wouldn't want your boundaries crossed, right? Don't cross theirs!

Some general rules to monitor your own online experience: 1- Block any potential sources of trauma/triggers. However, do not report them unless the subject matter genuinely breaks website rules (these differ DRASTICALLY depending on the site. Understand them before making any reports). 2- Live and Let Die (or Ship and Let Ship). Especially in fandom spaces. It's okay for you to have a particular take on a media, character, or ship. It is not okay for you to demean or diminish others for engaging in that media, character, or ship differently than you would. It isn't a competition about who's 'right'. Just enjoy yourself! 3- Turn on SafeSearch and Private Account settings. This minimizes potential triggers/uncomfortable subject matter, and allows you to monitor who engages with your account. 4- Do not actively pursue 18+ spaces. You don't have to stay 'in the kids zone', but don't try to insert yourself in a place where you cannot control what you might encounter.

----

I think that's about it! I'm sure there'll be other folks with plenty more to add, but these are the basics. Keep them in mind and try not to let yourself learn the hard way like I (and many others) did that The Internet as not as safe and fun as you might think it is. Of course, it is- but it's also full of unfun, or even dangerous things and people. Take care of yourself!

[letsleavewonderland]

A lack of empathy towards children’s feelings can be a serious red flag. For example:

Example: When Lily expresses discomfort about Mr. Wilson’s gifts and invitations, her parents dismiss her feelings, saying, “He’s just being nice; kids are too sensitive.”

Example: Sarah’s concerns about Uncle Joe’s behavior are minimized by family members, who say, “He’s just affectionate; you’re overreacting.”

Example: Kayla's parents drop her off at her Nana's every weekend even though she screams and cries

If someone dismisses or belittles a child’s feelings, report your concerns to child protection services to ensure the child’s well-being.

Share your own story of being easily dismissed when you tried to speak up

[letsleavewonderland]

Defensiveness or secretiveness about interactions with children can be concerning. For instance:

Example: When Mia’s parents ask about her music teacher’s frequent private calls, Mr. Adams becomes defensive and avoids showing his phone.

Example: Coach Dave is unusually secretive about his phone and computer, avoiding discussions about his messages and interactions with Mia.

Example: Gale's Sister Asks her how her nieces are getting along with her new boyfriend and she tells her to mind her business she can handle her own kids

If someone is evasive or secretive, it’s important to consider reporting your concerns to the appropriate authorities.

Feel free to share your own story!

[letsleavewonderland]

Grooming behavior often involves gradually building trust with a child. Look out for:

Example: Mrs. Lee excessively praises Noah and shows an unusually high level of interest in his personal life, raising red flags for his parents.

Example: Mr. Adams showers Hannah with gifts and money, calling her his “special friend,” and frequently takes her out for private outings, which makes her parents uncomfortable.

Example: Courtney's mother buys her 7 year old daughter smell goods, bath salts, lotions, inappropriate underwear and pajama sets for every time she has custody of her

If you spot these patterns, report your concerns to child protection authorities to ensure the child’s safety.

I urge you to share your own grooming experience

[letsleavewonderland]

Isolation can be a red flag for harmful behavior. Watch for situations like:

Example: At family gatherings, Aunt Carol always seeks out opportunities to be alone with her niece, Mia, rather than interacting with other adults. This behavior makes Mia’s parents uncomfortable.

Example: Family friend Mr. Adams frequently takes Jake out for special activities alone and avoids engaging with other adults, creating a sense of isolation.

Example: Abby's Grandfather always volunteers to take the child outside and sit in his car letting her pretend drive and listen to music every time you bring her over.

If you observe such behavior, it’s crucial to report your concerns to child protection services.

I urge you to share your own story

[letsleavewonderland]

Recognizing boundary issues is crucial for protecting children. This can manifest as:

Example: Uncle Joe often hugs Sarah too tightly and makes comments about how pretty she looks, ignoring Sarah’s visible discomfort.

Example: Coach Dave insists on spending time alone with Alex, including solo rides home and private practices, while avoiding conversations with Alex’s parents.

Example: Carlie's Mom's New boyfriend is always saying her mom is being too strict with Carlie making things like suddenly putting makeup on and wearing a bra a big deal. Even though her mom tells her she's too young her boyfriend is always bringing her secret gifts like mascara and lip gloss

If you notice these behaviors, it’s important to take them seriously and report concerns to appropriate authorities.

Feel free to share an experience you had that was similar

[letsleavewonderland]

Protecting children means being aware of red flags that might indicate inappropriate behavior.

One sign to watch for is an inappropriate interest in children. For example:

Example: Ms. Thompson, Emily’s teacher, seems to give Emily extra praise and special attention compared to her classmates. She often keeps Emily after class for extra help, which feels unusual and makes other parents uneasy.

Example: Mr. Wilson, the neighbor, frequently invites Lily over to his house for private playdates and brings her gifts like toys and video games, even though he doesn’t do the same for other neighborhood kids.Stay alert to these signs and report any concerns to child protection authorities. It’s important to keep children safe and secure.

Example: Kayla's Uncle always asks her if she's interested in boys yet, and if she's dating anyone

Some of these Examples can seem harmless to most parents who aren't aware of the warning signs

Parents or Victims I urge you to Share your story of a similar incident

[letsleavewonderland]

Breaking FreeIn the corners of the mind, where shadows creep,

Lie cages built from fears we keep.

They wrap around with chains unseen,

Imprisoning the heart’s pure dream.

Financial walls, so stark and tall,

Rise from struggles, daring us to fall.

Abusive hands that grip so tight,

Banish joy, extinguish light.

Yet breaking free begins with sight,

A glimpse of dawn, a flicker bright.

These cages, built of doubt and scorn,

Are fragile myths we can reform.

Envision skies where freedom soars,

Where open paths and hope restores.

The journey out may twist and turn,

But each small step will help us learn.

Confront the truths, seek what is just,

Break the bonds of fear and rust.

Set the boundaries, make the change,

In your heart, let dreams arrange.

Every stride away from pain,

Is a victory, a soft refrain.

The world outside is wide and free,

So trust yourself, and dare to be.

Beyond the bars, a life awaits,

A canvas vast, where hope creates.

With strength and grace, embrace the fight,

And step into the boundless light.

[letsleavewonderland]

💔 1 in 4 Girls Are Victims of Sexual Abuse 💔It’s not a headline—it’s a horrifying reality.Imagine four girls standing in a room—one of them is living a nightmare. One of them is hiding a trauma so deep, you wouldn’t even know. But we have to know. We have to act.🚨 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 13 boys will experience sexual abuse before they turn 18.

🚨 Most will never report it. Many will never see justice.

🚨 The scars last a lifetime, but the silence must end now.You don’t have to be a victim to be a voice.

📢 Speak out.

📢 Support survivors.

📢 Demand change.Don’t let them stand alone. ✋#Awareness #Survivors #EndTheSilence #1in4 #ChildAbuseAwareness #Healing