Child Abuse Prevention is Not Only a Month
By Kathryn Hensley
April is a month to welcome spring flowers, showers - and to remember that child abuse prevention is not only for a month. Ensuring all children are safe and nurtured should be a concern for every adult.
A society is judged by how it takes care of the most vulnerable and those with no political voice. Every child should have caring adults who protect and love them. Unfortunately, that is not the case for thousands of our most vulnerable. Child abuse puts a child in trauma from which he or she may never totally recover.
It is every citizen's concern not just because we should care about all children, which we should, but also because it is a drain on our society's finances and resources and a potential loss of a productive, self-sustaining citizen.
I urge you to celebrate the safe nights and days for each child and grieve for those hurt or lost. Become part of the prevention solution for every child.
Ms. Hensley is the chairperson for the CCKids Board of Directors. She also serves on the St. Lucie County School Board and the St. Lucie County Children's Services Council.
Next Steps...
Foster parents are needed all year long. If you are interested in becoming a foster parent, please check out our Upcoming Classes page. Not sure about fostering? Learn how you can advocate for children in foster care through the Guardian ad Litem program. The simplest way to get involved is to educate - paint one finger blue and start a conversation this month about how one in five children experience child abuse by age 18. And if you suspect a child is being hurt, call 1-800-96-ABUSE. We are all mandated reporters of child abuse in the state of Florida.
