What do you know about Child Abuse?

Ask thirty parents what they know about child abuse and you'll probably get thirty different answers.  Sadly, stories about child abuse and neglect rarely make the front page or leading story of the nightly news.  The stories that do make it to the front are usually so horrific, the news can't help but cover the story.

Unfortunately, while the mainstream news is featuring the latest celebrity break-up, fiscal crisis or story about the war, the United States has quietly taken the top spot among industrialized nations when it comes to child abuse related deaths.  Approximately 80% of the children that die from abuse are under the age of 4.  This is unacceptable!  Have we become so desensitized to violence that we are subconsciously as a society, devaluing the lives of our most precious gifts?

Here are a few cold hard facts about child abuse that not many people are aware of:

• For every crime a child predator is convicted of, there are on average, eight others that they get away with.  And over ninety percent of predators will re-offend at some point, but only three percent will be caught again because they've gotten smarter!
• 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 7 boys will be a victim of child abuse or neglect before their 18th birthday.
• A child abuse report is made every ten seconds in this country.
• 90% of child sexual abuse victims know their attacker through a prior association (family, friends, service repair people, coaches, teachers, etc.)

I could go on and on but the picture doesn't get any prettier.  We, as a society, need to stand together and face this problem that has grown over 500% in the last 20 years.  Here are some of the signs a child may exhibit if they are being abused or neglected.

• Unexplained burns, cuts, bruises, bite marks or welts
• Inappropriate interest or knowledge of sexual acts
• Sudden nightmares or bed wetting
• Depression, loss of appetite, fear or particular people or places
• Inability to concentrate, trouble in school, hostility
• Dirty, extreme hunger, unsuitable clothing and lack of supervision

If you see any of these signs or you know something is terribly wrong in a child's life, please take action and call the authorities.  Let them sort out the situation.  You may have saved a child's life!

Remember - "If you fail to plan, Plan to fail!"

Until the next time...

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Teach Your Child Their Entire Name - Not a Nickname!

The other day while walking through a store, I noticed a little girl crying and a small crowd of adults gathering around her.  As I went closer to see if I could help, I heard more than one adult (including a store employee) asking her name and where was her Mommy.  If you've ever had to decipher a crying child's answer, you know it is ten times worse when they are scared!  What came out of her mouth next was enough to make my heart skip a beat.  You see this child had been called by a nickname her entire life and that was all she knew!  She told everyone her name was "Tiny" and she was three years old.

As a Child Safety Advocate, it hurts my heart to see situations like this.  Parents need to teach a child their entire name as soon as possible.  If they can understand and respond to a nickname, they can remember their name, Mom and Dad's real name (not just Mommy and Daddy) and at least a street address name.  This simple lesson could save you and your child heartache if you are ever faced with this situation.

Eventually, store management went on the intercom to ask for 'Tiny's' mother to come to the front of the store.  I suggested they put Tiny in an office and have the parent describe her first before bringing her out as they couldn't verify the child's 'real' name.  Also, the manager asked Mom when she came to the front of the store, if she had a picture of the child on her phone.  In this age of smart phones, there is no reason not to have a RECENT picture of your child.  Fortunately she did, so Mom and daughter were reunited. 

Parents, please take the time to teach your children the safety basics when they are small!  And when you are out in public places, parents have to be extra vigilant as it only takes a minute for a child to dart off and disappear in a crowd.

Remember - "If you fail to plan, Plan to fail!"

Until the next time...

Follow us on facebook -
https://www.facebook.com/childsafetytipsandprograms or https://www.facebook.com/MilitaryVeteransAgainstChildAbuse

Check out our website - https://www.childsafetytipsandprograms.com