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Lung cancer is the leading cause of deaths from cancer for both men and women. Tobacco use causes 87 percent of all deaths from lung cancer. Mid-Michigan Cancer Center is offering smoking cessation education.

If you are interested in learning more about the Lung Clinic, a free telephone screening is available by calling
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This month read about signs of child abuse and how important it is to speak up and protect our children.  Together we CAN prevent child abuse and neglect!

August brings events to our community.  Big Brothers Big Sisters Golf Fore Kids Sake event, Central MI Youth for Christ Golf Outing, and the Gratiot County Back to School Event. Support your community and make a contribution to these events. There is no greater feeling than helping your community. 

Enjoy,

Child Advocacy Staff

Check out our website www.linkforfamilies.org.

Signs of Child Abuse

  Submitted by: Heather Gardner

CAC Coordinator

Below are indicators of child abuse that can include but are not limited to these signs.  Some signs that a child is experiencing violence or abuse are more obvious than others.  Trust your instincts.  Suspected abuse is enough of a reason to contact the authorities.  You do not need proof.

1.  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.

2.  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  Abused children often appear scared, anxious, depressed, withdrawn or more aggressive.

3.  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.

4.  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.

5.  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.

6.  Changes in sleeping.  Abused children may have frequent nightmares or have difficulty falling asleep, and as a result may appear tired or fatigued.

7.  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.

8.  Lack of personal care or hygiene.  Abused and neglected children may appear not cared for.  They may present as consistently dirty and have severe body odor, or they may lack sufficient clothing for the weather.

9.  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.

10. Inappropriate sexual behaviors.  Children who have been sexually abused may exhibit overly sexualized behavior or use explicit sexual language.

If a child outcries:

Do:

• Remain calm
• Believe the child
• Allow the child to talk
• Show interest and concern
• Reassure and support the child
• Take action.  It could save a child's life.

Don't:

• Panic or overreact
• Press the child to talk
• Promise anything you can't control
• Confront the offender
• Blame or minimize the child's feelings
• Overwhelm the child with questions

Remember, you are obligated by law to report suspected child abuse.  If you suspect a child is in immediate danger, call 911.  

To report child abuse in MI call toll free 1-855-444-3911. 

You may also visit www.onewithcourage.org or www.mivoice4kids.org for a list of resources.

Article provided by www.mivoice4kids.org

Happiness Worth Defending

By: Richelle Davis

Prevention Educator

Kids are terrific-happy, innocent and free.  They can remind us of what is best about ourselves.  When they are sexually abused, that happiness is dimmed, sometimes for life.  

With your help, more kids will get to grow up full of life and light. Kids shouldn't have to try to prevent sexual abuse all by themselves.  We adults have to learn to recognize when people are acting inappropriately around our children and ...and to speak up before a child is harmed.  One in three girls and one in seven boys are sexually abused before age 18.  Chances are, you already know a boy or girl who has been sexually abused-and in all likelihood know someone who has abused a child.  By educating yourself, you can become a powerful source in making the world a safer place for kids.

Children are taught in the Protect Yourself Program to speak up is someone approaches them in a sexual way.  But children should not have the burden of preventing abuse all by themselves.  Adults need to help keep kids safe by recognizing and responding to inappropriate behaviors around kids, before a child is harmed.  Just as you would step in and offer help to someone who is drinking and shouldn't be driving, we need to respond to behaviors that are inappropriate with children as well to keep them safe.

People who abuse children rely on our confusion and on our reluctance to acknowledge discomfort. Our silence allows people who sexually abuse children to get and maintain access to vulnerable children.  We can all help to prevent the sexual abuse of children by speaking up and becoming more aware.

Article adapted from "Stop It  Now" Together we Can Prevent the Sexual Abuse of Children.

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Closed Friday