Rep's Corner

There are a lot of things that come to mind when we think of April - April Fool’s Day, Spring flowers, kites in the breeze and children on bicycles. As a society, however, there is another pressing issue that we should focus on during April. As a way to bring attention to and to remember the thousands of Ohio’s children affected by abuse and neglect each year, April has been designated Child Abuse Prevention Month by Ohio Governor Bob Taft. For more than a decade, April has also been recognized nationally as Child Abuse Prevention Month by the National Center for Child Abuse and Neglect.

Each child has the right to live and grow in a safe, secure and supportive environment. With approximately 84,727 new reports of abuse, neglect and maltreatment made to Ohio’s children services agencies in 1998, this matter is one of the most pressing social issues we face.

Community action is needed to help break the cycle of abuse and improve family life. This year’s theme - You Have the Power of Prevention - is a convincing message that urges us all to participate. According to child protective service agencies, more than one million children are victims of child abuse and neglect each year in the United States. To stem the rising tide of child maltreatment throughout the country, many organizations and government agencies are refocusing their energy on prevention activities.

Child abuse and neglect prevention covers a broad spectrum of services for citizens ranging from the general public to individuals who have abused or neglected a child. Community groups, social services agencies, schools, and other concerned citizens oftentimes provide these services. Prevention efforts occur before a problem develops so that the problem itself or some manifestation of the problem can be stopped or lessened. Specific risk factors found to be associated with child maltreatment include parental substance abuse, childhood disability, and domestic violence.

To prevent child abuse and neglect, community programs may focus on one or several risk factors, including:
• Substance abuse treatment programs for women and children;
• Respite care programs for families with children with disabilities; and
• Parent education programs and support groups for families affected by domestic violence.

Child abuse and neglect prevention activities generally occur at three basic levels - primary, secondary and tertiary. Primary prevention activities raise the awareness of the general public, service providers and decision-makers about the scope and problems associated with child abuse.

Secondary prevention activities focus efforts and resources on children and families known to be at higher risk for maltreatment. Several risk factors such as substance abuse, young maternal age, developmental disabilities, and poverty are associated with child maltreatment. Programs may direct services to communities or neighborhoods that have a high incidence of any or all of these risk factors.

Tertiary prevention activities focus efforts on families where abuse and/or neglect have already occurred. The goal of these programs is to prevent maltreatment from recurring and to reduce the negative consequences associated with maltreatment (e.g., social-emotional problems in children, lower academic achievement, decreased family functioning). Primary, secondary and tertiary prevention services are necessary for any community to provide a full continuum of services that decrease the devastating effects of child maltreatment.

The 2000 Statewide Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Campaign has been identified as: Help Paint Ohio’s Future Bright! Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect. It is easy to get involved - and getting involved can make a very real impact on the lives of children in our community. Opportunities such as becoming a volunteer at the area Head Start Center, signing up to tutor at the local children’s activity or recreation center or volunteering at the local Family Resource Center are activities in which everyday people will have the most effect to Help Paint Ohio’s Future Bright by preventing child abuse and neglect.

Community action is needed to break the cycle of abuse and improve family life. If we all do our part, from one hour a week at the local shelter to a Saturday afternoon at the Family Center, we can help prevent child abuse and neglect in Ohio.


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© Copyright 2008 State Representative Lynn Olman. All rights reserved.