Dave Pelzer Research Paper

In A child called “it”, Dave Pelzer states “Childhood should be carefree, playing in the sun; not living a nightmare in the darkness of the soul.” (Pelzer, 1995, pg.98) As he reminisces on the traumatic and horrific childhood experiences, he was forced to partake in the hands of his abusive mother. Dave Pelzer is a survivor of one of the worst child maltreatment cases in the history of California. The “Pelzer” family lived in Daly City, California. Dave’s father, Stephen Joseph supported the family by working as a firefighter. Dave’s mother, Catherine Roerva was the homemaker in charge of all the family matters. Dave had two older brothers Ron and Stan later his mother gives birth to his baby brother Russell. From the age of four until he turned 12 Dave was a victim of child physical abuse and the perpetrator was his mother. Child physical abuse is any non-accidental physical injury or damage inflicted upon child (“Child Welfare,” n.d.). Types of child physical abuse are beating, kicking, burning, punching, injuries that leave a mark and action that result in a physical impairment of a child. In his book, Dave explains how his mother would starve, …show more content…
She would lock him in for hours until Dave coughed up blood. Dave talks about the day of the “accident” it was evening and his mother had too much to drink. She took a knife from the kitchen and began to threaten to kill Dave. She lost her balance and stabbed Dave in the stomach despite the constant bleeding his mother felt that he did not need to go to the hospital. Dave’s wound became infected and despite the excruciating pain, he had to care for his injury on his own. Through the years mother made sure that Dave did not feel like he was part of the family. She took any opportunity to degrade Dave telling him that he was an “it” stripping him from his