What do you think?
Rate this book
Damaged: Heartbreaking stories of the kids trapped in Britain's broken care system
'We were just sacks of flesh existing as punchbags for their rage, or toys for their entertainment'Chris Wild lost his dad aged 11, leaving him to grow up in the care system. There, he witnessed the incessant physical and sexual abuse of children, with the only escape leading to the streets. So many others like him, failed by the systems put in place to protect them, ended up with nothing but drink, drugs, prostitution and crime as their normality.Later, working in a care home himself became the only way Chris could help, but he was shocked to discover little had changed and vulnerable children were still being failed. In Damaged, he shares heartbreaking memories of the care system along with the stories of all the boys, girls, men and women he met along the way - exposing why we must take action now to protect all of Britain's forgotten children.
- GenresNonfictionMemoir
336 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 14, 2018
24 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 23, 2023
A twisted story of generation of abuse, kids in care still unprotected and vulnerable.
The book tells the story of a number of care children and their sad harsh reality of their lives and future. What is most unsettling and upsetting is the chapters at the end where Chris explains that no real investment, money or change in child social care is being implemented. With still huge bureaucracy, over worked staff and under funding meaning regularly children not getting the full support they need.
The book is important to highlight that changes are needed in the child's social services. However I gave the book a low rating as I think Chris could have gone deeper into the issue and maybe touch on controversial issues. Such as why known abusive adults are allowed to have children, if it should be compulsory for all adults to be educated on parenting, what age children should be taught being sexually safe, what communities can do to make sure children are safe, and making more safe areas for teenagers to talk and hang out.
As this area is so complex, just throwing money at social services won't work, education, awareness, community involvement and asking some tough questions on how to break abusive cycles that can last generations is the key in stopping child abuse and improving the lives of children.
The book tells the story of a number of care children and their sad harsh reality of their lives and future. What is most unsettling and upsetting is the chapters at the end where Chris explains that no real investment, money or change in child social care is being implemented. With still huge bureaucracy, over worked staff and under funding meaning regularly children not getting the full support they need.
The book is important to highlight that changes are needed in the child's social services. However I gave the book a low rating as I think Chris could have gone deeper into the issue and maybe touch on controversial issues. Such as why known abusive adults are allowed to have children, if it should be compulsory for all adults to be educated on parenting, what age children should be taught being sexually safe, what communities can do to make sure children are safe, and making more safe areas for teenagers to talk and hang out.
As this area is so complex, just throwing money at social services won't work, education, awareness, community involvement and asking some tough questions on how to break abusive cycles that can last generations is the key in stopping child abuse and improving the lives of children.
November 4, 2018
Heart felt
I could not stop reading until the end. It's true there are too many children being abused whether in their own homes or in care. I really think it will never end as there are too many evil adults in this world. May God bless you Chris for taking the time to write this book I have been sexually abused when I was very young and then married to a man who abused me physically,emotionly,sexually and financially. I have been widowed 27 years now and I live on my own with 3 loveing dogs. Although I get flashbacks I'm so happy to be a survive.
I could not stop reading until the end. It's true there are too many children being abused whether in their own homes or in care. I really think it will never end as there are too many evil adults in this world. May God bless you Chris for taking the time to write this book I have been sexually abused when I was very young and then married to a man who abused me physically,emotionly,sexually and financially. I have been widowed 27 years now and I live on my own with 3 loveing dogs. Although I get flashbacks I'm so happy to be a survive.
March 2, 2019
The title says it all.
This book contains some heartbreaking tales of a broken care system and the effects on the children placed within it. Although I went through a real mix of emotions reading it as there is humour and happiness and that real survival spirit too!. I think tales like this need to be told and people made aware of that goes on in systems we never experience. By coming forth and sharing such moving memories/tales can only then a difference be made to help protect the future children who find themselves in similar circumstances. A real eye opening read.
This book contains some heartbreaking tales of a broken care system and the effects on the children placed within it. Although I went through a real mix of emotions reading it as there is humour and happiness and that real survival spirit too!. I think tales like this need to be told and people made aware of that goes on in systems we never experience. By coming forth and sharing such moving memories/tales can only then a difference be made to help protect the future children who find themselves in similar circumstances. A real eye opening read.
July 13, 2020
I've never read anything like this. I couldn't put it down until I'd dissolved and emerged myself in every single word that Wild had written down. I would recommend this to everyone, even if this style of book isn't usually your thing. It shows the 'damage' and hurt and unfairness in the system, and that even now, some of it may remain. I think it exists so that Wild can tell his own story, shed light onto other people's stories and educate us to make the right decisions going forward and for us to help change the care system if we have the opportunity to.
November 28, 2022
gripping read
I couldn’t put this book down. Hard at times to read as it brought back so many forgotten memories of my childhood. Keep fighting and remember you can’t change the past but you can change the future
I couldn’t put this book down. Hard at times to read as it brought back so many forgotten memories of my childhood. Keep fighting and remember you can’t change the past but you can change the future
November 25, 2021
Highly recommend this book fab read , found hard to put down
June 8, 2023
Well written and shocking read!
October 1, 2023
It is based on a true story, and the author himself went through the tragedy and became a successful man in his life now. Very touching.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews