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Programs planned for Child Abuse Prevention Month

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  The Scott Air Force Base Family Advocacy Program officials have set up holiday trees around base to promote Child Abuse Prevention Month and are hosting outreach and educational events aimed to prevent child abuse and neglect.

The FAP is also currently two weeks into a six-week parenting class. Dads 101, a class taught by dads aimed at educating young or soon-to-be fathers, is April 26. Specialized services are also available to help with individual needs.

The events will provide education to parents, caregivers, children and the community on how to help prevent child abuse before it starts.

Amanda Pinkham, Family Advocacy outreach manager, said, "The FAP's focus is on healthy parenting, and how we can come together as a military community to assist families with parenting stress."

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, more than 3 million reports of child abuse are made every year in the United States involving nearly 6 million children. Those numbers include military children.

The theme for Child Abuse Prevention Month is, "It's No Secret--Everybody Can Help." Information boards, pamphlets, brochures and handouts, are also on display at the 375th Medical Group and base library.

Kim Peek, Family Advocacy intervention specialist said child abuse remains a problem, and it's the No. 1 preventable problem for children.

"It's important to make people aware of this problem, so they can talk about it and know the risk factors so an intervention can happen before abuse actually occurs," Peek said.

"Knowing there is somewhere for them to get help without being judged is really important. Raising children can be very difficult. Nobody gets an instruction manual when they have children, so having a support system is really important."

Pinkham said when parents feel overwhelmed with the task of raising their children, they should reach out and get help.

"As parents, we tend to take everything on by ourselves, which increases the stress levels. It's important to realize that you must take care of yourselves in order to take care of your children. Ask for help before it's too late."

Military life brings its own challenges from deployments and other additional stressors.
Peek explained, "One parent may be deployed, so the parent left behind is struggling with 'single' parenthood, which is difficult. The military lifestyle is not easy and is an adjustment. It brings different stressors to parents and their children.

"When one person in the family is stressed, the entire family is stressed."

Pinkham added that children are at risk of abuse when there is more stress and dysfunction in the house. A lack of problem-solving skills is also a factor that contributes to abuse.

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.

"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."