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Blue ribbon symbolizes abuse prevention by Gale Horinbein, MSW, LISW-CP SCAN (Suspected Child Abuse & Neglect) Coordinator Every day, four children in the United States die as a result of maltreatment. In 2003, nearly 3 million reports concerning the welfare of approximately 4.5 million children were reported nationally as having been abused or neglected. Of those 4.5 million children, investigations determined that 906,000 had been the victims of abuse or neglect.   Tragically, the highest rate of child maltreatment occurs to our youngest and most vulnerable children, those under the age of five. In addition, younger children die more often from abuse and neglect.   Most alarming is the fact that the perpetrators are, by definition, the very same individuals responsible for the care and supervision of their victims. At least four out of five victims are abused by at least one parent. In 2002, one or both parents were involved in 79 percent of child abuse or neglect fatalities. Of the other 21 percent of fatalities, 16 percent were the result of maltreatment by non-parental caregivers, and 5 percent were unknown or missing.   Experts believe that many more cases go unreported and will never be brought to the attention of the state’s child protective agencies or law enforcement. This is unfortunate since reporting abuse can help connect families with counseling and other services to relieve a family’s stress which in turn could save a life.   Thankfully, many communities are becoming involved in programs and events that promote the prevention of child abuse.   One such program is the National Exchange Club Center’s Blue Ribbon Campaign, which is held each April to recognize Child Abuse Prevention Month. The campaign helps to raise awareness about the impact of child maltreatment and its prevention, plus inspire others to find solutions.   Throughout April, individuals are encouraged to wear a blue ribbon to symbolize their commitment to protect children.   The campaign was initiated in 1989 by a Virginia grandmother, Bonnie Finney, to pay tribute to her 3-year-old grandson, Michael Dickinson, who was killed by his mother’s abusive boyfriend. Following her grandson’s death, Finney began a personal crusade to help protect children. She tied a blue ribbon to her van’s antenna reminding her and others of the terrible beatings that her grandson had sustained.   April’s observance of Child Abuse Prevention Month is an annual opportunity to remind ourselves of our collective responsibility to prevent the abuse and neglect that robs so many of our society’s children of their childhood, sense of security and well-being.   We know that the cycle of child abuse can be prevented through early intervention, support and providing preventive services to families.   Please get involved. Wear a blue ribbon during April and support the prevention of child abuse.   To order blue ribbons, call 792-2975. For more information about programs to prevent child abuse and neglect, contact the Exchange Club Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse at 747-1339. Source: SC Department of Social Services; US Department of Health and Human Services; Annie Casey Foundation’s 2005 Kid’s Count Annual Report; Southern Institute of Children and Families, 2004. Facts about child abuse Child abuse can be fatal. For the past two years, an average of three to four children each day have been reported as fatal victims of maltreatment. The vast majority of these children are 2 years old or younger. Child abuse stymies a child's growth and development. The emotional and physical damage children suffer from abuse and neglect is extensive. Documented consequences of abuse include chronic health problems, such as low self esteem, lack of trust and poor relationships with adults and peers. Child abuse is costly for many social institutions. Remediating the immediate consequences of serious physical abuse costs child welfare agencies, hospitals, and rehabilitation facilities almost $500 million annually. Child abuse costs continue to multiply. For example, children killed as a result of parental abuse or neglect never have the opportunity to contribute to society. In a two-year period, these deaths cost more than $1.2 billion in lost productivity. Child abuse victims often repeat the violent acts they experienced on their own children. Although some victims can overcome the scars of their abuse, child abuse victims are six times more likely to become abusive parents than non-abused children. Treatment services, while critical, are often ineffective in permanently altering parental behaviors. Program evaluations have found that even sophisticated clinical demonstration projects, often consisting of weekly contacts for 12 to 18 months, eliminate the future likelihood for physical abuse or neglect in less than half their clients. Preventive programs targeted at parents before they become abusive or neglectful reduce the likelihood for future maltreatment. Parenting education, support groups and home visitor programs have demonstrated positive outcomes. Specific gains include improved mother-infant bonding, enhanced parenting skills, and more consistent use of health care services. Preventive programs targeted at children can improve a child's awareness of how best to avoid child abuse and other unsafe practices. A review of 25 evaluations of these programs indicate that such efforts consistently resulted in increased knowledge for children about safety rules and what they should do if they are being abused. Child abuse prevention efforts serve as a way to combat other social problems of concern to the policy makers. Research has found a strong correlation between a history of abuse and a variety of adult problem behaviors including substance abuse, juvenile and adult crime, and poor social adjustment. The consistent expansion of prevention services may well lead to the eventual reduction of these problems. Child abuse prevention creates a more compassionate society, one which places a high value on the welfare of children. Ensuring the safe and secure rearing of the next generation requires the efforts of all policy makers and all citizens. Child Abuse and Neglect: The South Carolina Perspective What is child abuse prevention? Prevention is... An effective method to stop child abuse and neglect before it starts, reducing the need for intervention and treatment An effort to help parents and caregivers develop skills for managing children by understanding their children's emotional, physical and developmental needs and using alternatives to corporal punishment for discipline A strong investment from the public and private sectors in programs and public awareness campaigns that makes adults responsible for our children's protection Anger and stress management, impulse control, and problem solving skills that are taught to children at each grade level Programs and services that reduce family isolation and increase social capital Community resources that can help families connect to resources and get long-term guidance and support Prevention is not... Reporting abuse Hiring more child protective service workers to investigate abuse after it occurs Building more advocacy centers and shelters Developing more out-of-home placements Enacting stricter laws for punishing abusers Recommending more mental health care for traumatized children     Friday, April 21, 2006 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island papers at 849-1778, ext. 201.