Stopping Abuse (10:00 am)

Dear Reader:

I can't stress this enough when it comes to the abuse of children.

According to statistics children are being physically abused right now -- in your city, county, state, and possibly in in your own neighborhood!

An abuser can be anyone: Your neighbor, boss, co-worker, best friend, etc.

No one is immune from the grips of this problem. Not you, not me, and not those you love. It can happen to anyone.


Reference: Prevent Child Abuse Indiana (http://www.pcain.org/)

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Warning signs of (physical & sexual) abuse and neglect:

• Nervousness around adults

• Aggression toward adults or other children

• Inability to stay awake or to concentrate for extended periods

• Sudden, dramatic changes in personality or activities

• Unnatural interest in sex

• Frequent or unexplained bruises or injuries

• Low self-esteem

• Poor hygiene

HOTLINES

Prevent Child Abuse Indiana has a toll-free hotline answered by a licensed social worker from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

It is not for reporting abuse or neglect.

Rather, the social worker is available to answer questions about children -- from parenting to discipline to potty-training.

The number: 1-800-244-5373.

For reporting suspected abuse the Childhelp National Hotline is available.

The number: 1-800-4-ACHILD

They also have a website for more information at: http://www.childhelp.org/

MORE HELP

What you can do if you have called Child Protection Services and nothing happens:

• Contact the child's school counselor and express your concerns. Teachers and counselors are in a good position to reach out to children.

• Call the family's faith community. Ask them to reach out to the family.

• Adopt a child protection worker. Arrange for donations of food or clothing, furniture and toys.

• Be a good neighbor. Offer to baby-sit for parents to give them time to relax and unwind. Be kind and supportive to the children in your neighborhood, especially those you think might be abused or neglected at home.

• If a child is in imminent danger, call the police. Be alert for warning signs of abuse and neglect, particularly unexplained bruises or injuries.

PUBLIC ABUSE

What you can do to stop child abuse in a public place:

• Divert the child's attention -- if he or she is misbehaving -- by talking to the child. Examples:

"That's a great baseball cap. Are you a Sox fan?"

"I like your T-shirt. Did you get that on vacation?"

• If the child is in danger, offer assistance. Example: If a child is left unattended in a grocery cart, stand near the child until the parent returns.

• Avoid negative remarks or looks. They are likely to increase the parent's stress or anger, and could make matters worse.

ACTION

How to fight child abuse and neglect in your community:

• Raise the issue. Call or write elected officials and political candidates and ask them to support increased funding for prevention programs. Call your local schools and churches and ask them to sponsor classes and support programs for parents.

• Reach out to parents and kids. Anything you can do to help support children and families will reduce the likelihood of abuse and neglect.

• Remember the risk factors: Alcohol and drug abuse; isolation from families and communities; difficulty controlling anger; lack of interest in care, nourishment or safety of children; and economic or personal problems.

• Recognize the warning signs: Nervousness around adults; aggression toward adults or other children; inability to stay awake or to concentrate; sudden, dramatic changes in personality or activities; unnatural interest in sex; frequent or unexplained bruises or injuries; low self-esteem; and poor hygiene.

• Report suspected abuse or neglect to the Indiana abuse and neglect hotline at 1-800-800-5556 or your local police.