Child abuse blight affects entire communityby Gale HorinbeinSuspected Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN) Coordinator Tragically, three children of all races, genders, and socioeconomic backgrounds die each day as a result of abuse or neglect. Child abuse is a national problem, affecting children in every community. In 2001, nearly one million children in the United States weren’t safe in their homes. Three million reports of suspected child abuse were made that year, concerning the welfare of nearly five million children. Of those five million, 903,000 actually were abused. The highest rates of maltreatment and death occur in our youngest and most vulnerable children, those younger than three years old. The statistics reflect the severity of child abuse, which affects not only children but families and society as well. Expert believe many more cases go unreported and will never be brought to the attention of the states’ child protection or law enforcement agencies. But reporting abuse can connect families with counseling and services, relieving stress and, more importantly, saving lives. A report from Prevent Child Abuse America estimated that the United States spends $258 million each day as a result of child abuse and neglect. The price is an admittedly conservative estimate; the actual annual cost could be higher than $4 billion, including the costs of intervention, medical and emotional treatment, and long-term consequences. During April’s annual observance of Child Abuse Prevention Month, the blue ribbon campaign brings attention to the importance of preventing all forms of child maltreatment. The campaign also examines society’s various roles in the preventative efforts. Accordingly, this year’s theme is “Gateways to Prevention—What Everyone Can Do to Prevent Child Abuse.” In 1989, Virginia native Bonnie Finney began the campaign as a tribute to her grandson. Three-year-old Michael Wayne Dickinson was killed by his mother’s abusive boyfriend, and his body was found at the bottom of a canal. Following the death, Finney started a personal crusade to help protect children. She began by tying a blue ribbon to her van’s antenna to remind everyone of the terrible beating her grandson sustained. The gesture touched many people in Finney’s community, spreading from the neighborhood to the media and eventually grabbing national attention. Today, the blue ribbon has become the national symbol of child abuse and a constant reminder of the need to protect children. Although child abuse is a serious problem, the good news is that it’s completely preventable. Early intervention and the provision of support and preventative services can stop the cycle of abuse before it starts. Child Abuse Prevention Month is an opportunity to remind everyone of society’s collective responsibility to prevent the abuse and neglect that robs so many children of their childhoods and sense of security. This month, get involved. Wear a blue ribbon and support the prevention of child abuse. For information about programs to prevent child abuse and neglect, contact the Exchange Club Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse at 747-1339. To order ribbons or to obtain information about child abuse, call 792-8947.
Friday, April 9, 2004
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