Susan H. Oliva, Executive Director Advocacy Center for the Children of El Paso:
We can protect our children better in 2014. Tragic accounts of children found dead, murdered or forced to endure unspeakable crimes committed against them will make the front pages of our newspapers.
For a brief moment the topic of child abuse or neglect is on peoples’ minds, asking “How can that be? How can a child be beaten, sexually assaulted or murdered in their own backyard? What can be done to stop this?”
The truth of the matter is that we all share a responsibility to keep our children safe from harm, not just our biological children or those of our extended families, but also children we deal within our everyday lives; neighbors; children on our kid’s sports team; our kid’s classmates and youngsters who may not be able to speak for themselves.
Across the state of Texas more than half a million victimized children have received help from a Children’s Advocacy Center (over the past 15 years). Across the United States more than three million reports of child abuse are made each year. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, we lose between four and seven children every day due to child abuse and neglect in America. Many children die because of maltreatment, and the U.S. Department of Health believes that 50 to 60% of child deaths which are due to maltreatment are not recorded correctly on death certificates. In America, 80% of children whose lives are taken as a result of child abuse are under the age of four.
Texas Family Code states that: A person having cause to believe that a child’s physical or mental health or welfare has been adversely affected by abuse or neglect by any person shall immediately make a report. If a “professional” has cause to believe that a child has been abused or neglected, by persons caring for him (parents, persons with care, custody and control-including daycares, schools, etc.) they must report within 48 hours and may not delegate or rely on another to make the report. A professional includes: persons licensed or certified by the state or an employee of a facility licensed, certified or operated by the state, who in the normal course of their work, has contact with children. Specifically this includes: teachers; doctors/nurses; daycare employees; clinic/health care facility providers; and juvenile probation/detention officers. We must not leave out – anyone who knows that a child is being abused is legally obligated to contact law enforcement or Child Protective Services – and make that report. Yes, this includes clergy, social workers, mental health professionals, security officers and you – if you are reading this article. Each of us, as citizens must take a stand, to protect our children.
We must and can do better as a community. We know that 90% of children abused know their abuser. Listen, talk to, and support your children. If a child discloses abuse, remain calm, always believe the child – but do not make promises. Assure the child that he or she did the right thing and is not to blame for the abuse. Let the child tell you about the experience, but leave questioning to the authorities.
Report child abuse to Child Protective Services 800-252-5400 or call 911. You have the ability to make the difference in a child’s life to end their abuse. Do the right thing, help save our children from possible irreversible harm – make the report – any time day or night. This year – you could save a child’s life.
