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Expert talks about child abuse prevention

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  April was first declared Child Abuse Prevention Month by a 1983 presidential proclamation. In 1989, the Blue Ribbon Campaign to Prevent Child Abuse began as a Virginia grandmother's tribute to her grandson who died from abuse.

She tied a blue ribbon to her car's antenna as a way to remember him and alert her community to the tragedy of child abuse. Since then, this campaign has grown into a national effort to protect children.

Amanda Pinkham, Family Advocacy outreach manager encourages Team Scott to be aware of the indicators that a child is being abused or neglected and to contact them if suspicions arise.

"If you have suspicions or concerns, call Family Advocacy and consult with us," Pinkham said. "Abuse doesn't end on its own. Intervention and education has to take place."

According to National Child Traumatic Stress Network officials, the best way to determine if a child is abused is whether he or she talks about it, but there may be physical signs, such as welts, bruises, burns, lacerations and missing, broken or loose teeth.

There are several indicators that suggest a child is being abused.

· Frequent physical injuries that are attributed to the child being clumsy or accident-prone.

· Injuries that do not seem to fit the explanation given by the parents or child.

· Habitual absence or tardiness to school without a credible reason.

· A child wears long-sleeved or high-collared clothing to school on hot days, since this may be an attempt to hide injuries.

· Awkward movements or difficulty walking; this may suggest that the child is in pain or suffers from the aftereffects of repeated injuries.

· Frequent complaints of stomach or headaches.

· Child isolates himself or herself from others.

· Lacks trust and has relationship difficulties.

· Child suffers from low self-esteem.

· Has feelings of being worthless or damaged.

· Has trouble regulating emotions.

Preventing child abuse is a community effort. Family Advocacy needs Team Scott to assist in identifying and reporting child abuse or neglectful behaviors--it may just save a child's life.

According to AFI 40-301, all active duty members, DOD civilians and contractors are mandated to report child abuse. Reports involving active-duty members or military beneficiaries are required to be reported to the Family Advocacy Program at 256-7203 or 7204.