DEARLY CHILD. - By Doreen Cyprian

Written By: Doreen Cyprian

Category: ESSAY.

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In her poignant essay "DEARLY CHILD.," Doreen Cyprian delves into the profound responsibilities society holds in safeguarding children. As a participant in the esteemed Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, Cyprian brings a critical yet compassionate perspective to the category of Essay. Her work speaks to the universal appeal and urgency of child protection, raising essential questions about the environments we create for the youngest among us.

About the Work

Doreen Cyprian's essay is a compelling exploration of the myriad threats faced by children today, from abuse and neglect to the dangers of the digital world. Written with a sense of urgency and care, the piece underscores the need for proactive measures to ensure children's safety. Cyprian employs a thoughtful narrative style, rich in imagery and emotional depth, to emphasize the societal responsibility in nurturing and protecting the innocence of youth.

DEARLY CHILD.

Original Submission by Doreen Cyprian

DEARLY CHILD.

A child is a treasure that we as a society we have a mandatory to keep safe.

Safety does not end when delivery happens but that is the start of the race from this horrific marathon race of life.

A child can be easily manipulated and the manipulation can lead to a different path which can be scary and dangerous and most of times it’s difficult to come back from that trauma.

This concern oughts and voices are heard rising and echoing from all part of the earth that, “We need to protect a child.”

Now the Question rises that;

WHO WE ARE PROTECTING A CHILD FROM?

But I came to the conclusion from many fact and researches I conducted so;

We are protecting a child from ABUSE.

This includes Physical, sexual and emotional harm including harm inflicted by people they know and trust.

It sound dangerous trust me there is more so next to this is;

We are protecting a child from NEGLECT.

This can also be said as absence of attention, care, safety and basic needs.

As safe as it sound but is the poison that eats out slowly when you find out bones is what is left.

To elders, it’s not something that matters because it is shattered with responsibilities and race of wealthy and carrier. But in child’s mind concludes you don’t love them and then they find comfort outside parental care. Then when the parents come to realize is too late to turn back to.

We are protecting a child from SILENCE.

Secrecy is a burden that elders like to lift children with and with time it overwhelms them.

A culture that teaches children to keep secrets builds fear speaking up a remain quiet when someone hurts them.

This create a monster from fragile child just in the conspiracy of silence.

We are protecting a child from MANIPULATION.

Adults who exploits a child’s Innocence, dependence, trust or inability to defend themselves. Use their fear, vulnerability to their advantage. Keep in mind a child’s ability is like a player who learns to play soccer and when a mind get a good coach then it thrives. So boom the monster you have been creating in secret is exposes in public and to everyone. Here comes a broken child in a adult suits.

We are protecting a child from EXPLOITATION.

This is when desire win over humanity. Yes, this includes using children for money, labor, sexual purposes or personal gain.

We are protecting a child from UNSAFE SYSTEMS.

Institutions and communities that Ignore warning signs, protect reputations instead of children or fail to hold offenders accountable.

This fails a child trust and damage emotions too. If you can’t trust a child just because of the sake of ruining systems then there is no meaning of having the system if our own judgement is enough to judge according to the damage how bad it will point at you even if is for the sake of telling the truth.

We are protecting a child from THE DIGITAL WORLD.

Online predators, Cyber bullying, grooming and harmful content.

This increase rate of mental illness, depression,

self -sabotaging and the rate of self-harm and death increases.

If this could be a stock in a stock market then this stock could have many clients because this stock does not go down it always piles up

We are protecting a child from OUR OWN ASSUMPTIONS.

The belief that someone cannot hurt a child simply because they are respected, familiar, wealthy, powerful or related to the child.

Some of these people are the one that cuts down so deep that is hard to snitch the wound and it keeps on bleeding on everyone and everything.

So these are Important aspect among many that we need to take in consideration if we want a safety environment for a child.

But here is a deeper question;

ARE WE PROTECTING A CHILD ONLY FROM DANGER, OR ARE WE CREATING A WORLD IN WHICH THE CHILD IS SAFE ENOUGH TO TELL US WHEN DANGER COMES?

A child should not have to choose between telling the truth and keeping a trusted adult happy. A child should not have to prove that they deserve protection. And no person’s reputation should ever be more valuable than a child’s safety.

Now we see the important of safety.

A safe child means a safe community and a better generation both present and future. Which will be full of humanity, less explosive environment and corrupt mindsets.

Because the dangerous environment means Dangerous generation.

The generations that won’t have anything to do with humanity and replace everything with AI.

That is as scary as it sounds but it can become a reality if we don’t watch out.

Humans won’t matter when someone tramatized is on Power.

That someone was once a CHILD.

A child who didn’t get any advantage of protection, love, trust, attentions and better systems.

Now the discussion is on the table and the attention is already caught. Then it is safe to leave this discussion to let it digest in your minds. And better measurement will come out of this and bring forth child’s safety above everything else.

My main aim is to bring out this discuss because the society find it not important and believing if they survived it a child can survive it too.

But my concern is “WHAT IF THEY DON’T? “

WE MUST CHANGE THE ENVIRONMENT, NOT JUST CORRECT THE CHILD.

“The child is not growing up in vacuum. Every home, every classroom, every institution, every conversation, and every example we set is participating in the making of the next generation.”

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a celebration of literary talent from around the world. This prestigious event invites writers and poets to share their unique voices and perspectives, enriching the global arts community. Participants engage with diverse themes, showcasing their creativity and insight across various categories.

We extend our gratitude to Doreen Cyprian for her insightful contribution, "DEARLY CHILD.," to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her essay highlights critical issues in child protection, urging us all to reflect on our societal duties. Thank you, Doreen, for sparking this vital conversation.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.