October is Child Abuse Awareness Month
Every Day Children are Being Victimized by Abuse
Oct 23, 2008
Each year a specific month is proclaimed as “Child Abuse Awareness Month.” In Canada it is October, while in the United States it is April. It is vital that our concern and awareness of child abuse not be limited to one month a year, but recognize that each day children are victimized by various forms of abuse.
Child abuse has many faces and may not always be recognized by physical symptoms (i.e. bruises or broken bones). Identifying child abuse in the early stages is crucial. Symptoms may be physical, behavioural or both. There is rarely one incident or symptom of abuse. Emotional and sexual abuse are difficult to identify because there are no physical scars; however, being aware of behavioural changes, a sexual awareness beyond their years, poor hygiene, aggressive outbursts, bullying tactics may all require further investigation by child care professionals.
The incidence of child abuse is growing. When a child is abused, the crippling effects may be life long. Most abused children believe the abuse was somehow their fault and that they are bad. They spend a lot of time hiding from others in fear that someone will find out.
Child Abuse is a Reality
The reality is that kids too often are abused--either by parents, relatives, acquaintances, neighbours, and even child caregivers. The month of October is dedicated to raising awareness and helping to prevent such dreadful abuse of children. Remember that awareness is only the first step.
It is difficult for us as a society to acknowledge that people we know, even good people, even family members are capable of abuse. The sad truth is that each of us know someone who has been impacted by child abuse. Child abusers are people we know and people we trust. Turning the opposite way won’t save a child!
Most children who are being abused do not report their abuse because they have been threatened that if they tell anyone, they’ll break up the family or someone else will get hurt. The dependency that children have on their abusers creates an environment whereby children fear for their future. This will create an environment of secrecy that allows the abuse to continue. It takes a tremendous amount of courage for a child to break the silence.
The First Reported Case of Child Abuse was in 1873
Child Abuse wasn’t even recognized until 1873 when the first case of child abuse was reported. Mary-Ellen was nine years old when a church worker, Mrs. Etta Wheeler, found Mary-Ellen shackled to her bed, grossly malnourished, scarred and badly beaten. Appalled by what she saw, Mrs. Wheeler went to the authorities to report this horrifying child abuse.
Mary-Ellen was removed from her abusive home where she was placed in foster care with Mrs. Wheeler’s family. From that day forward, Mary-Ellen thrived. She went on to marry, have two daughters and lived to the age of 92. Her life changed dramatically because Mrs. Wheeler cared enough to do something about her abusive situation.
Every child deserves a life free of fear and abuse. We must make each day an “awareness day” where we seek out an understanding of what child abuse is, why it happens, how to recognize when someone is being abused, where to go for help and be willing to respond to the unheard cries of the children. The safety of children is everyone’s responsibility. After all, it shouldn’t hurt to be a child.
