Be a Hero. Save a Life. Report Child Abuse.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Child abuse comes in all forms – emotional, physical, and sexual. It includes a child’s exposure to domestic violence – his or her own or the witnessing of physical and sexual abuse of others. Often times, the perpetrator of child abuse is a parent or caregiver, the one who should most protect a child. For many children, reports of child abuse came too late, after a child was seriously injured or killed. The emotional scars from childhood abuse run deep, often severely damaging a child’s mental health and development. A child often does not have the skills or tools to report what is happening to him or her. Therefore, it is important to recognize signs of abuse and for adults to speak out, no matter how awkward it may feel.

The consequences of an adult staying silent may be something a child literally cannot live with.

A report of suspected child abuse may be made anonymously and it will often lead to an investigation in which caregivers and children are often offered supportive services, such as counseling, parenting classes, and anger management instruction. It does not always lead to the separation of a child from his family, although there are some circumstances where removal is in the child’s best interests for the child’s safety. Increased risk factors for abuse include domestic violence in the household or in a caregiver’s own childhood, substance abuse, and untreated mental illness.There are warning signs of abuse including frequent injuries or unexplained marks or bruises on a child, a child’s reluctance to go home or fear of a caregiver, poor hygiene, inappropriate clothing, untreated illnesses and injuries, excessive punishments, frequent absences or tardies at school, inappropriate sexual behaviors or knowledge of same, and being left alone. Children are often on “high alert” and “walking on eggshells” around an abusive caregiver, never knowing what might set him or her off. A caregiver’s extreme moods, paranoia, drug or alcohol use, and the constant bullying of the child are additional signs. There may be a corollary in the way a caregiver treats other adults and the way the caregiver treats his or her own children. If a caregiver is volatile and angry with other adults, one can only imagine how he or she reacts in anger or frustration to a child behind closed doors. Family members, friends and neighbors are the first line of defense to child abuse. Often, they have a “gut feeling” about the abuse but dismiss it because they do not have better proof or there is a reluctance to get involved. Speaking up can be a matter of life or death for a child. There are professionals who are equipped to investigate these matters. I implore you to speak up for children in these circumstances. Give them a voice. Give them a chance. Be their hero. If you suspect child abuse in Georgia, call 1-855-422-4453. A report can be made 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also email cpsintake@dhs.ga.gov. © 1993–2021 Debra M. Finch, PC, All Rights Reserved.