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Blue bows represent child abuse prevention

  • Published
  • By Family Advocacy Program
  • 375th AW
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  The Blue Bow Campaign, in support of Child Abuse Prevention Month, began April 1 and continues throughout the month. 

Blue bow lapel pins and blue ribbons will be distributed at various base locations. The Scott community is encouraged to tie a blue bow on their car antennas and to wear the pin throughout the month to show that child abuse prevention is everyone's mission.
 
The Blue Bow Campaign began in the spring of 1989, when Bonnie Finney's grandson, Michael Wayne "Bubba" Dickinson, died as a tragic victim of child abuse. First she grieved, and then she took action by tying a symbolic blue ribbon to the antenna of her van as a signal to her Virginia community of her personal battle against child abuse. 

Mrs. Finney stated, "the blue ribbon serves as a constant reminder...to fight for protection for our children. We must protect our most precious gift of all...our children. Please wear a blue ribbon...put one on your car...give one to your friends...tell them what it means...you may save a child's life!" 

In addition to wearing or displaying the blue bows, child abuse can be prevented in the following ways: 

Reach out to parents who are stressed: Offer words of support and encouragement. Do not give them "dirty looks" or lectures. Offer to help with a difficult or cranky child. Saying something as simple as, "It sounds like someone needs a nap" or "Boy, I remember those days, it can be tough" is often enough to reduce a parent's stress-level. 

Make an extra effort to help young, single or isolated parents. Befriend them. Be available to them. Offer to baby-sit to give them a break. Be role models for them. Remember that "It takes a village to raise a child." 

Inform parents of available community resources: Many families may not be aware of services and programs available to assist. Respite care through Air Force Aid Society; "Give Parents A Break" through the Special Needs Identification Flight; nursing home visitation, in home counseling, parenting classes, and marital therapy through Family Advocacy; and many family support services through the Chapel and Airmen and Family Readiness Center. These services are available at no charge for military families. 

Educate parents about normal child behavior and base regulations on unattended children. It is often tempting to leave young children in charge of younger siblings or unattended in a building or vehicle "for just a few minutes." Those few minutes can lead to tragedy. Children must be at least 11 years old to be left unattended in a building or vehicle on base. They must be at least 12 years old to baby-sit a sibling, and have completed the Red Cross Baby-sitting Course to baby-sit a non-sibling. In addition, they must be 16 years old to be left in a vehicle with the keys in the ignition. 

Report immediately if you see someone hitting or shaking an infant. Spanking is a parent's choice. Leaving marks or bruises is abusive. Shaking infants or toddlers can cause brain damage, blindness, neurological damage, learning disabilities or death. 

Suspected child abuse involving military families should be reported by calling 256-7203 or 256-7204. To make a report to the state of Illinois, call 1-800-25ABUSE. The national child abuse hotline number is 1-800-4-A-CHILD.