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Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month

 

April brings warmer days, spring flowers and the feeling of renewal. But for many Douglas County children, there will be nothing new.

 

April is Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month and theUp2Us Now Child Abuse Prevention Coalition of Douglas County would like to take this opportunity to focus on our communities’ children. According to the Department of Human Services data book 2012, Douglas County reported 151 founded cases of child abuse and neglect affecting 266 children under the age of 18; almost half were 5 years old and younger. These are the cases we know about. Many go unreported.

 

The impact of this glut of violence against children is overwhelming. As a community, we can prevent the increase of violence and neglect against children through deliberate and wide-spread action. It starts with educating ourselves on the signs of abuse and neglect, deciding together that it will not be tolerated in our community and taking action to do what we can to protect our youth. While some might be wary of making the call to Child Welfare for fear of retaliation, or being wrong, or making the situation worse, reports can be made anonymously.  Not making the report can mean a child will suffer even more devastating consequences.

 

Children exposed to domestic violence are at the greatest risk so if you are in a violent, abusive or neglectful situation or relationship, seek help. Douglas County offers many prevention and support services including Bettered Persons’ Advocacy, Adapt and other counseling and respite care, financial counseling and employment training.

 

It takes a village to raise a child; it takes a village to keep that same child safe from harm and neglect. Child abuse and neglect prevention is up to all of us.

 

Marion Kotowski

Violence Prevention Specialist

Up2Us Now Child Abuse Prevention Coalition.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's Up2UsNOW to prevent child abuse.

If you or someone you know needs help RIGHT NOW - call:

Police/Ambulance/Fire:                                                                                   911

To report child abuse:                                                              1-800-305-2903

Battered Person’s Advocacy Crisis Line:                           1-800-464-6543