Tips on preventing child abuse and neglect

Everyone can help prevent child abuse and neglect, not just mandatory reporters, according to officials at the state social services agency and Prevent Child Abuse (PCA) Louisiana.

As a call to community action, the Office of Community Services (OCS) and PCA Louisiana have provided a list of tips for preventing child abuse and neglect.

“We define child maltreatment as any action taken by a caregiver that seriously endangers the physical, mental or emotional health and safety of a child,” said Marketa Garner Gautreau, OCS assistant secretary. “The risk factors include substance abuse, mental illness, poverty and a culture of violence.”

Anna Fogle, president and CEO of PCA Louisiana agreed. “Child maltreatment occurs most frequently when situations become overwhelming and caretakers don’t know how to cope.”

According to OCS and PCA Louisiana officials, the consequences of child maltreatment
include: bodily injury, even death; intellectual and cognitive developmental delays; long-term psychological and behavioral effects; and financial costs as a result of intervention and services.

Garner Gautreau said a child may be suffering from neglect if he or she shows signs of malnutrition, is always hungry, has poor hygiene or has unattended physical or medical problems. Signs of child physical abuse include broken bones or unexplained bruises, burns or welts. A child who is being abused also may be frightened of a parent or caretaker.

She added that victims of sexual abuse may have pain or bleeding in the genital area with redness and swelling, difficulty walking or sitting, frequent urinary or yeast infections or torn, stained or bloody underclothing. Sexually abused children also may have inappropriate knowledge about sex or display age-inappropriate play with toys, self or others.

Fogle emphasized that the consequences of child abuse affect an entire community.

“Everyone must become involved in prevention: individual citizens, faith-based organizations, community groups, professional organizations, corporate leaders and social service agencies,” she said.

OCS and PCA Louisiana provided the following tips for individuals and families to help prevent child abuse and neglect:

• Sponsor a parenting program in your community or organization.
• Take a stand in child/family advocacy efforts.
• Sponsor a child for summer camp or other supervised enrichment activities.
• Organize a Circle of Parents support group.
• Donate clothing and school supplies during community drives.
• Offer to check in on a latch-key child.
• Offer to provide time-out to an overwhelmed parent.
• Volunteer with PCA Louisiana.
• Become a Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). A CASA worker is a trained community volunteer who is appointed by a juvenile or family court judge to speak for the interest of children who are brought before the court. The majority of CASA volunteers' assignments are home placement cases where an abused and neglected child has been removed for their protection from the care of his or her parents.
• Establish a regular, everyday routine for your child. Children function better when they know what to expect.
• Develop a support system you can rely on for help when needed.
• Look for ways to reduce stress in your life, and develop a list of way to cope with stress. Soaking in a tub of warm water, listening to soothing music or exercising are ways to reduce stress.
• Become a foster parent. For more information on the foster care program, please visit the DSS Web site at www.dss.state.la.us and select the Being A Foster Parent and Adopt A Child links.
• Adopt a foster child.

Fogle encouraged anyone who may be feeling overwhelmed by the responsibilities of parenting to call KIDLINE (244-5373), PCA Louisiana’s toll-free hot line. The line is available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week and is staffed by trained volunteer counselors who provide confidential support, crisis intervention, parent education and help for victims of abuse.

For more information on child abuse and neglect, visit the DSS Web site at www.dss.state.la.us and select the Preventing Child Abuse and the Report Child Abuse/Neglect links.