“Child abuse casts a shadow the length of a lifetime.” ~Herbert Ward
My younger three sons were blessed gifts of adoption. They were abused as infants and their special needs are a lifetime shadow. I was an abused child.
Please, don’t turn away from reading.
Child abuse is a topic of utmost importance with each of us holding a role of responsibility.
Yes, you can help prevent child abuse.
Your money, though important in funding programs, isn’t the most important thing you can give.
Your time…your promise to support parents and families before they reach crisis carries far more impact in the ultimate prevention of child abuse.
Don’t simply *gasp* at the horror stories of child abuse.
Act.
Blame doesn’t help. Speaking ill of the depressed, alcohol and drug addicted, financially strained parents who have no support system, and as a result abuse their children, will not help prevent the abuse.
Act.
Please give your attention, your time, your promise to help prevent child abuse in America.
Anything you do to support kids and parents can help reduce the stress that often leads to abuse and neglect.
Child abuse and neglect occur in all segments of our society, but the risk factors are greater in families where parents:
* Seem to be having economic, housing or personal problems
* Are isolated from their family or community
* Have difficulty controlling anger or stress
* Are dealing with physical or mental health issues
* Abuse alcohol or drugs
* Appear uninterested in the care, nourishment or safety of their children
By helping parents who might be struggling with any of these challenges, you reduce the likelihood that their children will be abused or neglected. Reach out to the children, too, and show them that you care.
Volunteer your time and money for programs in your community that support children and families.
Raise the issue.
Recognize Warning Signs.
Report Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect.
If you need help or have questions about child abuse or child neglect, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) then push 1 to talk to a counselor.
The Hotline counselors are there 365 days a year to help kids, and adults who are worried about kids they suspect are being abused or neglected.
For even more helpful Prevention tips click here.
Thank you for reading. Won’t you please pledge to support child abuse prevention by doing?
Melody can be found at 5M4SN and at Slurping Life sharing photos and a few words from her special life.
In our city a volunteer program helps people act as advocates for children in the courst system.
Here is a quote from the website:”In 2007, 1,766 children were removed from their homes due to abuse and neglect in Bexar County. CASA volunteers ensure that kids in foster care don’t fall through the cracks of our overburdend child welfare system.”
www dot casa hyphen satx dot org
Perhaps there is a similar program where you live.
Yes there is, Barbara. I formerly volunteered with CASA.
Melody,
Thank you so much for sharing this important message. It is so easy for us (me definitely included) to not realize that there are things we can do to help.
I’m one of those that knows firsthand
that the shadow of abuse
will cast for your lifetime.
Thanks for bringing up the subject and hope more folks will read and do more to help.
Excellent post. Thank you for writing this up – it surely isn’t easy to deal with.
This is a difficult thing to read about and to deal with. Years ago when I was a substitute teacher in the special needs classroom at an elementary school I found out that one of the children was disabled because of abuse. I had never personally known anyone like that and I felt helpless and saddened. I will do my part in keeping my eyes open for signs of abuse and reporting it when necessary. Thank you for writing this much-needed post.