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April is Child Abuse Prevention Month
Attending a brown bag lunch last week with panelists discussing Child Abuse and Sexual Abuse prevention gave me a lot to think about over the weekend. One of the topics addressed was what action should you take if you suspect child abuse?
Many of us have witnessed child abuse in a public space, the mall, the playground, the grocery store. A parent is frustrated and at the end of their rope, a child might be whining and it is just enough to make that parent lash out verbally or physically. We see it happen, we grimace and roll our eyes at each other and know we should step in to defend the child. We tell ourselves someone else will, or it is none of our business and we walk away with tremendous guilt knowing we should have intervened. It is easy to think about what you would do and much more difficult when you are faced with an already furious adult.
What about when it isn't a stranger in public. What if it is a neighbor, or a friend or a relative that you suspect of harming their child. Cheri Baldwin, a Goodhue County Child Protection Worker tells us, " By all means report it. Let us know the situation and we will decide whether or not intervention is required."
Chris Schroeder of the County Attorney's office added, " If you see it happening it public, that is probably only the tip of the ice berg, much worse maybe happening behind closed doors."
Good to know right? But then I learned so much more.
Cheri went on to share, " Don't look for us to remove a child from the home right away. This is the very last thing we ever want to do. We would like to go into the home as professionals with a goal of helping the parent learn to use the strengths they already have to build a healthy family relationship. Children love their parents, even abusive parents and do not want to be separated, and 99.9% of parents love their children and don't really want to hurt them. "
That is what we need to remember. That most parents want to be good parents and other factors are preventing that. So let's stop rolling our eyes, and shaking our fingers and look at these parents through a mirror rather than a window. The same mirror of non-judgement and forgiveness we see ourselves through when we have bad days. If we learn to look at people in that manner, maybe stepping in to help out might be easier. It would certainly be much better for the child and in the long run, for all of us.
Never walk away thinking it is none of your business. When a child is in danger, it is everyone's business.
Maureen Nelson
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Reporting child abuse.
As difficult as reporting child abuse or neglect can be, it's important for you to stand up for a child in need. Learn how to communicate effectively in different situations.
Read: Child Abuse Reporting Tips
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" I've learned that people will forget what your said and what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel"
Maya Angelou
Child abuse does not go away, but 90 percent of child abuse is preventable.
--Karen Adams
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 Myths & Facts about Child Abuse & Neglect MYTH #1: It's only abuse if it's violent. Physical abuse is just one type of child abuse. Neglect and emotional abuse can be just as damaging, and since they are more subtle, others are less likely to intervene.
MYTH #2: Only bad people abuse their children.
Fact:
While it's easy to say that only "bad people" abuse their children, it's not always so black and white. Not all abusers are intentionally harming their children. Many have been victims of abuse themselves, and don't know any other way to parent. Others may be struggling with mental health issues or a substance abuse problem.
MYTH #3: Child abuse doesn't happen in "good" families.
Fact:
Child abuse doesn't only happen in poor families or bad neighborhoods. It crosses all racial, economic, and cultural lines. Sometimes, families who seem to have it all from the outside are hiding a different story behind closed doors.
MYTH #4: Most child abusers are strangers.
Fact:
While abuse by strangers does happen, most abusers are family members or others close to the family.
MYTH #5: Abused children always grow up to be abusers.
Fact:
It is true that abused children are more likely to repeat the cycle as adults, unconsciously repeating what they experienced as children. On the other hand, many adult survivors of child abuse have a strong motivation to protect their children against what they went through and become excellent parents.
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Signs of Child Abuse and Neglect
Unexplained injuries. Visible signs of physical abuse may include unexplained burns or bruises in the shape of objects. You may also hear unconvincing explanations of a child's injuries.
Changes in behavior. Abuse can lead to many changes in a child's behavior. Abused children often appear scared, anxious, depressed, withdrawn or more aggressive
Returning to earlier behaviors. Abused children may display behaviors shown at earlier ages, such as thumb-sucking, bed-wetting, fear of the dark or strangers. For some children, even loss of acquired language or memory problems may be an issue.
Fear of going home. Abused children may express apprehension or anxiety about leaving school or about going places with the person who is abusing them.
Changes in eating. The stress, fear and anxiety caused by abuse can lead to changes in a child's eating behaviors, which may result in weight gain or weight loss.
Changes in sleeping. Abused children may have frequent nightmares or have difficulty falling asleep, and as a result may appear tired or fatigued.
Changes in school performance and attendance. Abused children may have difficulty concentrating in school or have excessive absences, sometimes due to adults trying to hide the children's injuries from authorities.
Lack of personal care or hygiene. Abused and neglected children may appear uncared for. They may present as consistently dirty and have severe body odor, or they may lack sufficient clothing for the weather.
Risk-taking behaviors. Young people who are being abused may engage in high-risk activities such as using drugs or alcohol or carrying a weapon.
Inappropriate sexual behaviors. Children who have been sexually abused may exhibit overly sexualized behavior or use explicit sexual language.
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Wish List
Crackers
Paper Grocery Bags
(for summer program)
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Cannon Falls
Fri., April 27th
Annual
Celebrity Night
Presented by the Auxiliary Volunteers of Mayo Clinic Health System. Proceeds go to special hospital equipment and furniture for patients treatment and comfort.
Tickets
$10 at door
$8 Seniors
Children 5 & under free
Cannon Falls High School
3pm coffee
4pm Performances
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Lake City
Sat. April 28th
Girls Day Out
9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Collect 5 stamps from participating merchants, then register for our Gift bag give-away , valued at over $900. Every participant receives a FREE Pearl of the LAke Paddle Boat ride ticket
Taste of Lake City
7:00 am to 5:00 pm
Sample local cuisine from participating restaurants and businesses.
Tickets $8
available at
Lake City Chamber
Lake City Dairy Queen
May 4th -6th
100 Mile Garage Sale
Residents and stores clean out their attics, garages & basements to create the Most Spectacular Garage Sale.
A trail of distinctive colored ribbons will identify participating garage sales from Alma on the southern end of the Wisconsin side of Lake Pepin, north along Hwy. 35 through Nelson, Pepin, Stockholm, and Maiden Rock to Bay City, WI. The trail then crosses west to Minnesota at Red Wing, MN and heads south on Hwy. 61 through Frontenac, Lake City, Camp LaCupolis, Reads Landing, Wabasha, Kellogg and Winona.
Bargain hunters can start anywhere along the route beginning at about 8AM with closing time set for about 5PM all three days. Rain or Shine!
Follow the balloons & ribbons.
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RED WING
Wed., April 18th
12th Annual Candlelight Vigil
for those affected by child abuse
6:30-8:30 pm
Hovda Auditorium, Red Wing High School
This year's theme is "Making a Change." Program will include:
*testimonies from local children affected by child abuse
*Performance by the "Soul of Red Wing" choir
*Songs and Poems by Kids Count youth
*Candle lighting and Safe Person ceremony
**Please note that the new location for this event**
This event is FREE and open to the community.
No RSVP's are required.
Sat. April 21st
Walk a Mile in her Shoes
9:30am
Central Park, Red Wing
International Men's March to Stop Rape, Sexual Assault, and Gender Violations
To register of form a team
Contact Katherine at 651-388-9360 ex 15
or sara-agency@hotmail.com
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2012
CHILI COOK OFF
Thursday,
Sept 27th, 2012
| Watch
for Updates Here
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