Editorial: Steps Must Be Taken To Prevent Child Abuse

Times Record
April 15, 2015

http://swtimes.com/opinion/how-we-see-it/editorial-steps-must-be-taken-prevent-child-abuse

We know child abuse occurs.

We read the most horrible of the stories. We are aware of the statistics — in 2013 in the United States, there were about 679,000 cases of child abuse and 1,484 children died because of abuse.

We do not need a Child Abuse Awareness Month.

What we need is for child abuse to be stopped, to be prevented.

We need Stop Child Abuse Month.

Fortunately, we have April — National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Knowing there were 33,353 reported cases of child abuse and neglect in Arkansas in 2013, as reported by the Arkansas Department of Human Services 2013 Statistical Report, makes us aware we need to do something.

This month is the time to start actions to prevent those numbers.

According to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, a majority of child abuse cases stem from situations or conditions that can be prevented by community programs.

“A community that cares about early childhood development, parental support and maternal mental health, for instance, is more likely to foster nurturing families and healthy children,” the organization states on its website.

There are factors that can prevent or reduce child abuse and neglect: Parental resilience, nurturing and attachment, social connections, knowledge about parenting and child development, social and emotional competence of children and concrete supports for parents.

To put it more succinctly, the best thing we can do to prevent child abuse is to teach parents the skills they need and provide resources to help them.

Some prevention steps are easy: Set a good example, befriend parents, reach out to neighbors.

Some take more effort: Start a resource room for parents at a church or school, help set an after-school program, mentor a child or parent, become a foster parent, get involved.

But the one thing we can all do is know the signs of child abuse like unexplained injuries; changes in behavior, temperament and appetite; fear of going home or to a care provider; risk-taking behaviors or inappropriate sexual behaviors, according to SafeHorizon.org.

Finally, if you see something, say something. Call the hot line, where you can remain anonymous, or local police. Intervention by well meaning observers can save a child’s life.

Our children are counting on us. This month, let’s all make the vow to not let them down.