6954

April is National Child Abuse Awareness Month.




These pinwheels were placed on campus. They looked so beautiful, twirling in the sunshine.




Child abuse and neglect are underreported. By how much is unclear. I am certain that there were probably thousands more incidents in my county alone. Think of how many incidents must happen to just one child before someone actually calls Children's Services. If anyone ever does.


What is the definition?

Physical abuse
Sexual abuse
Emotional abuse
Neglect




We as a community need to care for our children. Be alert for signs of child abuse (physical, sexual, emotional) and neglect in the children that you know. If you suspect it, make a report to your local child protection agency.


If a child discloses to you that they are being abused, believe them. You may be the only person they ever tell. I know several people who were abused in one form or another as children. Some told and were not believed. Some never told at all, until they were adults and shared it with me as a trusted friend.


I used to be a social worker, and was employed by an agency that provided foster homes for Franklin County. I got to see the effects of abuse and neglect all the time. I left that job 8 years ago. I still think about the children with whom I worked, and wonder what happened to them.


I think some people shy away from making reports, in case they turn out not to be true. They hear about false reports and the stress and strain it puts on the children. Child abuse investigations are not fun, to be sure. But if the person making the report is doing so with good intentions (i.e. not deliberately false-reporting as a means of retaliation against someone), then they should not feel guilty if it turns out not to be true. Think of it this way: you are leaving it to the experts to decide.


And you might just be saving a child's life and future.