Current Issues

Children and Neglect

The Salvation Army wants to invest in prevention of child abuse and neglect.

We can never invest enough in prevention!

Each April for more than 20 years, thousands of organizations like The Salvation Army schedule events and activities and concentrate on Child Abuse Prevention awareness to bring attention to the issue of children’s welfare.

While it is important to always provide for and insure the safety of children, Child Abuse Prevention Month is an opportunity to highlight the role we all can play to support parents and families.

Our children are worth it!

THE COST?

Furs, diamonds, BMW’s, caviar, designer clothes, etc. are known to be costly, but child abuse is also costly—to the victim, their families and to society. It is impossible to overstate the tragic consequences endured by the children themselves. The costs of such human suffering are incalculable! Wade F. Horn, assistant secretary for children and families, HHS, states, “Every time a child is abused or neglected, the whole human race suffers.” Children living with abuse or neglect suffer academically, psychologically, physically, socially and of course, spiritually.

The National Institute of Justice, the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, and the National Institute of Mental Health found that victims of child abuse and neglect are more likely to abuse their partners or spouses, abuse alcohol and drugs, experience unemployment, experience depression, drop out of school, commit violent crime, and live in poverty. The costs of Children and Youth intervention, health, educational and mental health services and correctional services are staggering. These costs for intervention as opposed to prevention of abuse are substantial. Prevent Child Abuse America estimates that the US spends $258 million each day as a direct or indirect result of the abuse and neglect of our nation’s children!

THE INCIDENCE?

According to national data released by the Department of Health and Human Services, an estimated 903,000 children across the country were victims of abuse or neglect (2001). An average of three children die every day as a result of child abuse or neglect. These statistics, which outline substantiated cases, indicate that about 12.4 out of every 1,000 children were victims of abuse or neglect.

WHAT?

Abuse can be physical injury, such as beatings, burns and bites, criticism, insults, the withholding of love, rape, fondling, incest, involvement in pornography and failure to provide the basic needs of life—food, clothing, shelter, health care.

WHERE and WHO?

Most child abuse and neglect occurs in the family home says Prevent Child Abuse America. Most often, the abuser is someone the child knows. Parents, siblings, relatives and visitors to the family can all inflict abuse.

WARNING SIGNS?

Children who have been physically abused are often nervous around adults, suddenly overachieve or underachieve at school, find it difficult to trust others and to make friends, arrive at school (or the Corps) too early, or leave after the others do, find it difficult to concentrate, and have a change in eating or sleeping patterns. In addition to some of the above, children who have been sexually abused may talk or act sexually at too early an age, start soiling themselves, become careless about their appearance, suddenly behave differently (passive and withdrawn or aggressive and disruptive), think badly of themselves and be uncomfortable with touch. When these behaviors occur repeatedly, there may be abuse or neglect involved. We know the children that come to our activities, so it is important to be aware of these signs.

PREVENTION?
What things can we focus on during Child Abuse Prevention month?

Access relevant information for families and professionals.

Take relevant information and create a one-page flyer to circulate and post on the bulletin board. See resource listing.

Promote positive family experiences especially in early childhood.

Call the local community college or a local day care/after school program and invite them to speak to parents on children’s safety and discipline.

Advocate for legislation and programs that protect children.

Make this a Corps Cadet, Youth Group, Women's Activity or Men’s Club activity. Write to your elected officials encouraging them to be active in Child Abuse Prevention.

Institute educational awareness programs about child abuse and neglect.

Sponsor a program about Child Abuse Prevention in the Corps for soldiers

and friends and/or workers in the area. Ask the Home League to bring baked goods and brew a pot of coffee.

Recognize the warning signs of child abuse and neglect.

Report suspected abuse or neglect.

Protect your child or a child you know from abuse and neglect. (Urge them to stay in safe places, to know the difference between good and bad touches, to say no, etc.) See resource listing below for materials.

Write a press release or story for the local newspaper or your Corps newsletter.

Prevent Child Abuse America boldly states that a child is helpless – you (we) are not.

Save Our Children!!!

Protect Our Children!!

Love Our Children!!