P.L.E.A.S.E. came
about as the result of a number of families affected by runaway children
finding each other. Mums and Dads who had highlighted their plight with
letters to the local newspaper were brought together and it was realised
that even though each situation was different, the end result was all
the same - frustrated and desperate parents fighting a system which
was working against them and their family unit.
Parents had sought
assistance from various agencies, but all to no avail. Brick walls were
met at every turn. They were unable to assume responsibility for their
children and unable to exercise their roles as caring families.
The imbalance in
most legislation and policies governing the rights of parents and the
rights of children was very clear. There was a very real need for review
if the sanctity of the family was to be restored and maintained.
In many cases,
gullible children were at the mercy of the criminal elements of our
society and the only people who appeared to care, the parents, were
being ignored by authorities.
The first meeting
of interested parties was held on 28 October 1998 and the response was
very encouraging. The decision was made to go ahead and form a group
to lobby for legislative changes. A creative brainstorming session saw
the group with an official title and so P.L.E.A.S.E. was up and running
with a very important mission - change the present system which is so
harmful to the backbone of the country - families.
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