The Steve Wilkos Show Season 7 Episode 114 Child Abuse: Who Will Fail?
- April 17, 2014
A young girl sits nervously on the couch next to her mother as Steve Wilkos introduces the next guest on his show. A man walks out, looking solemn and defeated, as Steve explains that he has been accused of child abuse. The tension is palpable as Steve begins to question the man about the allegations, which include physical assault and emotional abuse.
The man denies any wrongdoing, but the evidence against him is damning. The girl's mother describes the bruises and black eye that her daughter came home with after spending the weekend with the man, and a social worker from Child Protective Services testifies that the girl has exhibited signs of trauma consistent with abuse.
Steve gives the man an ultimatum: he can either take a polygraph test to prove his innocence or he can leave the show and face the consequences of the accusations. The man agrees to take the test, but when the results come back, they are not in his favor.
The tension builds as Steve confronts the man, who is still denying any wrongdoing despite the evidence against him. The girl's mother breaks down in tears as she describes the impact that the abuse has had on her daughter, and Steve finds himself struggling to keep his cool in the face of such blatant disregard for a child's well-being.
Throughout the episode, Steve emphasizes the importance of believing children when they come forward with allegations of abuse and the need for swift intervention to protect them from further harm. He also speaks to the potential long-term effects of child abuse, which can include PTSD, depression, and difficulty forming healthy relationships later in life.
As the show comes to a close, Steve announces that the man will be turned over to the police and that the girl will be offered counseling services to begin the healing process. He commends the girl's mother for speaking up and taking action to protect her child, and encourages anyone who may be in a similar situation to do the same.
Overall, this episode of The Steve Wilkos Show is a sobering reminder of the importance of taking child abuse accusations seriously and the devastating impact that abuse can have on a child's life. It highlights the need for intervention to protect children from further harm and offers support and resources for those who may be struggling to cope with the aftermath of abuse.