April Marks National Child Abuse Prevention Month

Sadly, every day we hear news reports of children who are victims of abuse, neglect and/or domestic violence. During the last 3 months of 2007, Harris County Child Protective Services completed investigations involving almost 12,000 children.

The investigations revealed alleged* allegations with the following statistics:

Physical Abuse 38%
Sexual Abuse 17%
Neglect & Other 45%

*Allegations are in investigations assigned. Note: an alleged victim may be in more than one type of allegation. Source: DFPS data warehouse as of November 2007.

Here is a partial list of signs and symptoms of child abuse:

The Child:

Shows sudden changes in behavior or school performance.
Has not received help for physical or medical problems brought to the parents' attention.
Has learning problems (or difficulty concentrating) that cannot be attributed to specific physical or psychological causes.
Is always watchful, as though preparing for something bad to happen.
Lacks adult supervision.
Is overly compliant, passive, or withdrawn.
Comes to school or other activities early, stays late, and does not want to go home.

For more info, click on http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/signs.cfm

NAM's Family Violence Center provides a 24 hour hotline, 281-885-HOPE (4673) or toll free at 1-888-750-4673. If you know of someone in need of assistance, please let them know help is only a confidential phone call away.