Month highlights plight of abused children

Being a child shouldn’t have to hurt. And yet child abuse happens every day, in every community, in every state of our country. In Idaho during 2006, there were 1,639 children who were victims of substantiated cases of abuse and neglect. According to the Idaho Governor’s Office, that number is increasing annually. And because most cases go unreported, we have to ask ourselves, “How many other children are suffering in silence, waiting for someone to help them?”

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month:  a time to increase our awareness and understanding of child abuse and its prevention.

Too many children suffer abuse and neglect at the hands of parents and caretakers who should be nurturing them instead. And sadly, most children believe it is their fault that they’ve been abused.

Children who have been abused and neglected carry the effects, which are wide and far-reaching, into adulthood. They are more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol, commit violent crimes, form unhealthy relationships, suffer from depression, and even abuse their own children.

Many neighbors and friends may suspect or even see child abuse happening but don’t want to intrude or interfere. Such inaction can mean years of pain and heartbreak for young children who are unable to get out of a bad situation. Caring and alert community members are one of the first lines of defense in the prevention of child abuse.

A few specific things you can do in April and throughout the year to prevent child abuse and neglect:

n Educate yourself and others about child abuse and its prevention

n Be a nurturing parent

n Help a friend, neighbor or relative — isolation is often a contributing factor to child abuse

n Care for yourself so you can care for your children

n Report suspected abuse or neglect — Call Sandpoint’s local Health & Welfare office at 265-4523

Since 1996 Kinderhaven has been a safe haven for children who have been removed from their homes for their own safety. We know first hand the damage that abuse and neglect cause children. So please join with us to help prevent it. Our collective actions will give abused children hope for a brighter future.

KIM DIERCKS

President,

Kinderhaven Board

PHYLLIS PORATH

Executive director, Kinderhaven