Since April was first declared Child Prevention Abuse Month in 1983, the entire month has become a time to acknowledge the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse.
We’re committed to be a part of that effort as we work with a number of community organizations united against child abuse. Part of our working together is to share information about what to do if you suspect a child in your life is suffering abuse.
It can be difficult to determine from a child’s behavior or emotional state whether abuse has occurred. The best way to know if a child has been abused is if the child tells you.
If you are a counselor, parent, teacher, or anyone else concerned about a child whom you suspect is being abused, the best way to begin is by talking to the child.
■ Start with open-ended questions. Don’t assume that the child is being abused. There may be many explanations for why a child is behaving in a particular way or for how a child was injured. Some children have conditions, such as osteogenesis imperfecta or blood clotting disorders, that make them more vulnerable to bruising and/or broken bones.
■ If the child has a visible injury, ask how the child was injured. Ask open-ended followup questions to look for inconsistencies if the explanation for the injury seems implausible or doesn’t match the injuries.
Please know you can always file a report with us at the Sheriff’s Department and we’ll take the proper steps to ensure the child is protected and in a safe environment.