News

05 Aug 2008 Child Abuse Prevention and Intervention

WHAT YOU CAN DO...

* Educate yourself about the signs and symptoms of abuse and share your knowledge with others.

* Report suspected abuse or neglect.

* Write to elected officials and ask them to support policies and funding for child abuse prevention and intervention efforts.

* Encourage your daycare center

* Volunteer your time to organizations that provide programs for child abuse prevention or intervention services.

* Donate money to organizations that provide programs for children and families.

* Develop a relationship with and provide encouragement for pgrogram staff at a child serving agency. Inform staff about your professional skills and inquire about ways that the program can benefit from your expertise.

* Be a friend to children you know. Remember their names and smile when you talk with them. Ask them how they are doing, inquire about school and home. Show you care.

* Talk with your family, friends and enighbors about looking out for one another's children.

* Remember to help yourself! Take steps to develop a positive support network and make a plan to take time for yourself.

THINGS TO REMEMBER...

* The person who abuses a childs is to blame for the abuse!

* Most children are abused by someone the child knows.

* Children should not be held responsible for protecting themselves from sexual abuse by adults.

* Continue to encourage parents to do the best they can!

SAFETY TIPS...

* Always know the people who care for your children. Write down names, phone numbers and addresses.

* When your child wants participate in an acitivty and you won't be along - know and use the "W" questions: Who, What, Where and When.

* Be involved in your child's activities.

* Be sensitve to changes in your child's behavior or attitude. Look and listen to small cues and clues that somehting might be wrong.

* Listen to your intuition or your "gut" feeling. Teach your child to listen to his or her "gut" feeling and communicate it with you.

* When you child says he or she doesn't like someone, ask why.

* Teach your child that it's okay to tell--no matter who; no matter what!

* Maintain supportive, open communication with your child; talk and listen.

* Talk about safety and sex with your child.

* Carefully supervise and establish clear rules and guidelines for your child's computer use.


Article references:  www.missingkids.org; www.nationcac.org; www.preventchildabuse.org; wwwitsuptoyou.org; www.missourikidsfirst.org; www.activevoice.net