It is time to Awaken the Nation

We must Awaken the nation. Now. We Can! And we Will!

The Mag Interview | SuEllen Fried wants to stop bullying in schools - KansasCity.com

Check out this great interview with our friend SuEllen Fried, who has been doing amazing work for children in Kansas for decades now. She is one of the foremost authorities on bullying prevention and one of the finest, most caring human beings you'll ever meet. There is a lot of effort going into bullying prevention these days, which is outstanding. It is a perfect example of how child abuse can occur from unexpected sources, have impacts well beyond the obvious direct affects and it is a demonstration of the role communities can play -- with schools as the key institutions -- in preventing the abuse from ever occurring.

Very much worth a read: The Mag Interview SuEllen Fried wants to stop bullying in schools - KansasCity.com

Awful Grace Founder Interviewed in West Virginia

The West Virginia Leadership Institute for Child Abuse Prevention was held last week, with our founder Bryan Specht as one of the closing plenary session speakers. Check out his interview with West Virginia Public News Service here: Public News Service.

It was a homecoming of sorts for our founder who grew up in the Parkersburg, WV area and whose grandfather was abandoned at an orphanage in Wheeling in 1904.

Prevent Child Abuse West Virginia's Jim McKay (left), Prevent Child Abuse America's Ben Tanzer (center) and Awful Grace Society founder Bryan Specht at the West Virginia Leadership Institute for Child Abuse Prevention.

Erin's Law: When the Abuser Is No Stranger

Check out Erin's Law from Chicagoland's Erin Merryn! We desperately need age-appropriate education on abusive behaviors. Ask your legislator to support this important measure. Erin's Law: When the Abuser Is No Stranger Erin Merryn (courtsey of Time.com)

Child Abuse Prevention Month Begins

Child Abuse Prevention Month starts today! Check out some of the great stories covering the kickoff.

Child Abuse Prevention Month Begins with SafePath Kick-Off Event April is Child Abuse Prevention Month Child Abuse Prevention Month Begins in Texas

Tavis Smiley interviews former DC Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee

Great interview of Michelle Rhee who was run out of the DC school system for having the audacity to challenge the teacher's unions and inject some innovation into the system. She had some great ideas, but once again our children suffer because we can't evolve.

Florida's Children's Movement

I Am Florida from Children's Movement of Florida on Vimeo.

What Do You Think?

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Busy Days for Abuse Prevention

The Project blog has been quiet, but the Project hasn't - we have had several conferences and speaking opportunities lately that have kept us all very busy, including the General Federation of Women's Clubs who are adopting abuse and neglect prevention as their signature cause. We also have some exciting partnership efforts underway, so stay tuned for more on those.

Happy, Healthy Summer Camp

We are in the throws of summer and kids everywhere are headed off to camp. There are so many choices and so much on the line when you choose a camp.

It is so easy for Thrivers and Survivors to over protect and over compensate when it comes to raising their own children. No one knows better than we do that there are risks out there and people who prey on children in just these types of situations. It is every parent's right to decide what is best for their child. It is important to be vigilant, but please don't deny your child an experience that can be so enriching and fulfilling, like summer camp because you feel helpless when trying to determine a safe and healthy place for them to visit.

Please visit the ACA's website and take advantage of the fantastic information and resources that they offer. Information is so empowering.

http://www.acacamps.org/

If you know any resources or websites that can provide even more support for parents making this tough decision, please share! The sum of us and our knowledge is so much stronger and wiser than the individual.

LA County Dropping the Ball on Abuse Reports

Many tips on LA's child abuse hotline unresolved
The Associated Press
Posted: 05/16/2010 11:32:52 AM PDT
Updated: 05/16/2010 12:26:04 PM PDT

LOS ANGELES—Thousands of tips that come through Los Angeles County's child abuse hotline go uninvestigated within the time mandated by the state, it was reported Sunday.
The Department of Children and Family Services has failed to complete investigations into tips involving more than 18,000 children, according to The Los Angeles Times. County records show some 3,700 cases have been open two months or longer without determining whether abuse or neglect is taking place in the home.

The state recently extended Los Angeles County's deadline for completing investigations from 30 to 60 days, but child welfare officials have been unable to meet the new timeline as well.

The delays are the result of too few staff burdened with a number of new duties intended to reduce the deaths of children already under the department's scrutiny.

"The social worker staff simply cannot keep up with everything we are asking them to do," department Director Trish Ploehn said. "All of the things that equate with quality do take time."

The Times reported last year that more than a dozen children had died of abuse or neglect in each of the two previous years after coming to the attention of the department. Internal investigations found that most of those cases involved errors by the department that probably contributed to the fatalities, and that the errors were concentrated in the unit that handles emergency response.

Department officials responded by ordering more interviews, additional managerial oversight and other duties intended to improve the thoroughness of investigations.

John Tanner, executive director of Service Employees International Union Local 721, which represents the social workers, told the Times, "The emergency response system is at a breaking point. We have to reinvent it to best help social workers ensure child safety."

Cute or Disturbing? What do you think?

Weigh in ... This video is causing quite a stir. Many are so disturbed by it they are calling for the mother to be charged with child abuse and neglect. Others think it is funny or cute. What do you think?

Cycle of abuse often begins early

The final in a two-part series about sexual assault and child abuse prevention shows many victims – and perpetrators – of abuse were mistreated as children.

By TEDDYE SNELL
Press Staff Writer

TAHLEQUAH — Fifteen-year-old Phoebe Prince of Massachusetts will never be accused of abusing a child.

Prince committed suicide recently, after being bullied by a number of her classmates.

Research indicates if she’d lived long enough to have her own children, she may have become abusive, perpetuating what’s known as the “cycle of violence.”

What’s more, the teens accused of bullying Prince may be growing up in emotionally abusive families, and could also end up abusing future generations.

April is Child Abuse Prevention month, and Sara Davidson, Helping U Grow program coordinator at Tahlequah’s Help-In-Crisis, said cyclical violence is all too common in her line of work.

“If children grow up being abused by Mom or Dad, even though they know it’s not the right thing to do, it’s the only role model they have,” said Davidson. “We lose approximately 43 children a year in Oklahoma to abuse. By “lose” I mean they die. The majority of those children are under the age of 2.”

According to statistics provided by Davidson, 13,328 Oklahoma children were confirmed as abused or neglected last year.

The HUG program has been designed to thwart violence by offering families support.

“We can teach parents things they need to know,” said Davidson. “We give instruction about child development, nutrition, personal goals and use of community resources.”

The HUG program serves parents living in Cherokee, Adair or Wagoner counties who are expecting a child, or who have a child under the age of 1, and who have limited financial and social support.

HUG program staffed are trained with Healthy Families and Parents As Teachers, and make home visits from pregnancy until the child’s sixth birthday.

The HUG program falls under the umbrella of the Start Right program, offered by the State Department of Health.

“We start out carrying little ‘beanie babies’ so we can show the mother what size her unborn child is throughout her pregnancy,” said Davidson. “We make sure they make their medical appointments and then continue care after the child is born.”

Parents of babies born at Tahlequah City or Stilwell Memorial Hospital receive packets at the time of their child’s birth, which include information on child safety, development, coping with stress and community resources.

Home visits are a key component of the program. Workers offer activities that involve everyone who participates in the care of the baby.

Davidson said visits through the first few years is weekly, and taper off to about one per month by the time the child turns 3.

“The program is very effective,” said Davidson. “When we’re visiting, if we notice domestic violence situations or a lack of the appropriate supplies, like food and clothing, we can work to resolve the situation quickly. We don’t like to report families to [the Department of Human Services] but sometimes have to so families get the support they need. We’re there for the child and to make sure he’s safe.”

Warning signs

Prevent Child Abuse America compiled a list of signs an adult may be abusive. Consider the possibility of abuse if a parent or caretaker:

• Seems unconcerned about the child’s welfare at school or at home.

• Denies problems at school or at home, or blames the child for them.

• Sees the child as worthless or as a burden.

• Avoids discussing the child’s injuries, or gives conflicting explanations for them.

• Abuses alcohol or other drugs.

• Seems isolated from other parents and school and community activities.

• Uses harsh physical discipline or asks other caretakers to use it.

• Depends on the child for emotional support.

These signs don’t prove an adult is abusive, but they could be a signal that the adult or his family needs help.



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Signs of Child Abuse: Emotional, Physical, Neglect, and Molestation
Child abuse is, unfortunately, all too common and many children are hesitant to speak directly about it. These behavioral signs can be good indicators of child abuse, so read on to learn how to spot abuse when you see it.
Read More

Presidential Proclamation Marks April as Child Abuse Prevention Month

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release April 1, 2010
NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH, 2010

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA PROCLAMATION

When the child next door is maltreated, we all suffer. Every American has a stake in the well-being of our Nation's children. They are members of our communities, and they are our future. National Child Abuse Prevention Month provides the opportunity to underscore our commitment to preventing and responding appropriately to child abuse. This month, we emphasize the importance of understanding child abuse and the need for all Americans to help families overcome this devastating problem.
The tragedy of child abuse may afflict American children in different ways. Abuse may occur physically, sexually, and emotionally. Child neglect, another form of child maltreatment, may occur physically and emotionally. Understanding the forms of child abuse is critical to preventing and responding to maltreatment.
A well-informed and strong family is the surest defense against child abuse. To help educate and strengthen families, community members can offer their time and counsel to parents and children who may need assistance. For example, parent support groups provide an organized forum for assistance. More informally, community members may simply offer a helping hand to families under stress. More information about what families and communities can do is available at www.childwelfare.gov/preventing.
Civic organizations and government also have an important role to play. Civic groups offer essential support through education, assistance to those at risk, and treatment for victims. Government at the local, State, and Federal level must provide funding for services, conduct public education projects, and enforce child abuse laws.
As we recognize that we all suffer when our children are abused, that we all benefit from mutual concern and care, and that we all have a responsibility to help, more American children will grow up healthy, happy, and with unlimited potential for success.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do more hereby proclaim April 2009, as National Child Abuse Prevention Month. I encourage all citizens to help prevent and respond to child abuse by strengthening families and contributing to all children's physical, emotional, and developmental needs.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

BARACK OBAMA

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Presidential-Proclamation-Marking-National-Child-Abuse-Prevention-Month/

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month: What to do if you suspect abuse

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month: What to do if you suspect abuse

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National Child Abuse Prevention Month first started in 1983 and came out of an initiative to increase the public's awareness of the need to protect children's welfare and safety. Each April, the Office on Child Abuse and Neglect, part of the Children's Bureau, disseminates information on abuse and neglect and releases the latest statistics.
In 2007, the National Abuse and Neglect Data System reported 1,760 child fatalities, which they defined as a child death resulting from an injury caused by abuse or neglect. According to information provided on the Child Welfare website, children under the age of 4 accounted for over 75% of these fatalities. According to Childhelp, there were an estimated 3.2 million child abuse reports and allegations made in 2007.
How can you help to end child abuse? Report it. It doesn't matter if you aren't sure or don't have all the details, the police or child abuse hotline worker will work with you to get as much information as they can to follow up on your report. In Arizona, you can call 1-800-SOS-CHILD to report abuse or contact your local police department. You can even remain anonymous if you fear repercussion of being identified as the reporter.
Child Protective Services (CPS) will screen and investigate allegations of abuse or neglect. The Arizona Department of Economic Security website states that CPS will investigate reports of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse; neglect; abandonment or exploitation by parent, guardian or caregiver or when parents/caregivers permit others to inflict this upon the child. The DES website also provides expanded definitions of various types of abuse and neglect.
The signs of child abuse can be varied. We would all expect a physically abused child to have bumps, bruises or cuts and abrasions that aren't easily explained. We often won't see the bruises but it doesn't hurt to look and, if we see something suspicious, to ask about it. Kids who have been abused may have problems in school or show antisocial or aggressive behavior. They may seem depressed or be apathetic. On the other hand, kids may be very involved in school; they come early and/or stay late (to avoid going home). They may be over-achievers, constantly trying to please. Kids who are neglected may come to school unbathed and unkempt. Their clothes may be dirty. They might be hungry. Kids who have been sexually abused might display age-inappropriate sexual knowledge, fear of a particular person, or drastic changes in appetite and hygiene.
No one sign may be a clear, definitive indicator of abuse but if you suspect abuse or neglect, call the child abuse hotline and discuss your concerns. You just might save a child's life.

Phoebe Prince Suicide Results in Bullying Arrests

9 teenagers have been charged in the death of 15-year old Phoebe Prince in Massachusetts. Prince committed suicide after school on January 14th, when the bullying by these peers reached its apparent peak. She had been harassed at school, on Facebook and via text messages for quite some time before she committed suicide. Like so many other realities of abuse, most people don't realize how significant bullying is within the broader issue of child abuse and how often child abuse is perpertrated by another minor. This is true in physical abuse, as well as sexual abuse. Too often we make light of bullying, but it is a harsh and brutal reality for many children.

The lesson here is clear: parents and teachers cannot turn a blind eye to behavior that looks like "typical bullying" -- kids who are subjected to this type of behavior on a chronic basis need the help of a supportive adult.

Check out the story in the New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/30/us/30bully.html) or the local press conference coverage below:

Jim Hmurovich, President & CEO of Prevent Child Abuse America appears on the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric

Last night Jim Hmurovich, President & CEO of Prevent Child Abuse America appeared on the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric to discuss the 4th National Incidence Study of Child Abuse and Neglect. The highlight of the study is the finding that there has been a 26% decrease in incidents of serious child abuse, especially sexual abuse, between 1993 and 2005. Prevent Child Abuse America celebrates this finding and applauds CBS and Katie Couric for covering the story. We also believe though that the release of the report should serve as an opportunity to discuss the state of prevention across the nation.

Our video, "Awakening" is included in the piece as well. Check out the link here: www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6171602n&tag=mncol;lst;1

There's an app for that!

Please click the link below to see how your iPhone can prevent child abuse. Yes! Your phone, really. Help support our friends at Prevent Child Abuse America.






http://preventchildabuseamerica.blogspot.com/2010/01/calling-all-iphone-users-theres-new.html

Baltimore's Child Advocacy Center

Here (Defending the defenseless - baltimoresun.com) is a great piece in the Baltimore Sun about the Child Advocacy Center there. Cities like Baltimore and Chicago have been very successful with the advocacy center model, which originated as a rural concept created by Congressman Bud Cramer. Today the urban centers are setting the tone and many of the rural centers are in need of additional support - and more rural centers are desperately needed in under-served rural areas of the country.

The Advocacy Center model is powerful and effective -- bringing together investigation, prosecution, physical and mental health services into one location. It significantly increases likelihood of a successful conviction and more quickly moves child victims into the healing phase.

Check out the Baltimore Sun story for more...

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Successful New York program helps at-risk kids from cradle to college

A great story here about the Harlem Children's Zone and it's "cradle to college" strategy. This is a powerful, positive model for child development that is getting some support behind it now that will significantly expand it into more communities around the country. There are lessons and best practices here for rural communities as well as the type of urban centers that will directly benefit from the Harlem model. Kudos to Geoff Canada for conceiving the Harlem project. This is the sort of community-building, child development effort that prevents abuse in the short term and can help practically eliminate it in the long run.

At-risk kids: Successful New York program a possible solution for Chicago -- chicagotribune.com

Florida County Lowers Teen Pregnancy Rate

Kudos to Polk County, Florida for not only attacking the issue head on, but finding a successful method. Teens teaching teens is going to be a success every time, if you ask me. These are the kind of programs we need to inform one another about on a national basis. This knowledge needs to be shared with XYZ County, Anystate USA.

This is a perfect example of why we need an executive level national office gathering and dispersing information that can benefit our kids. These people have found something that works, and it needs to be shouted from the rooftops so others can put it into action.

Click below to read the entire story:

Giving birth to hope: Polk teen pregnancy numbers fall
By Donna KellyNews Chief staff
Published: Monday, November 30, 2009 at 4:01 a.m. Last Modified: Monday, November 30, 2009 at 2:03 a.m.

How To Make a Difference in 15 Minutes...

This may be one of the most important posts I ever add to our site. The information and links in this article are so invaluable!

PREVENT CHILD ABUSE

by Jamie Littlefield

Child abuse leaves more than just bruises. Long after children have recovered from the physical results of a beating, abused children suffer from emotional and psychological trauma that can last the rest of their lives.

Adults who experienced child abuse in their youth are more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol, commit violent crimes, form unhealthy relationships, and even abuse their own children.

Unfortunately, many bystanders witness child abuse and do nothing about it. Neighbors and friends may hear or even see child abuse happening, but don't want to intrude or interfere with "the rights" of the parents. Such inaction can mean years of pain and heartbreak for young children who are unable to get out of a bad situation.

Abused children need your intervention. In their helplessness, they must rely on capable adults who are willing to take a stand and get them out of an abusive environment. By being aware of child abuse, and helping to educate the people you know, you can help prevent child abuse in your community.

Learn about child abuse. Educate yourself by taking the Myths and Realities About Child Abuse Quiz. Keep these key facts in mind:

• Child abusers can be any age, any gender, and any race. They can be from any economic class and have any level of education.
• Children are more likely to be abused by their own parents than by a stranger.
• Rarely does an incident of child abuse happen in isolation. When a child is abused once, it is likely to happen again.
• Educate your neighbors and friends about child abuse. Consider emailing your acquaintances a link to this article. Or, ask an official from a local domestic violence shelter to speak to your neighborhood group, church association, PTA, or other organization. They are usually more than willing to share what they know about how to prevent child abuse.

Make sure your acquaintances know that they can get help if they find themselves in a situation where they could become an abuser. It is often difficult for abusers to get help because they are afraid of losing their children and don't want to be judged by the people they know. Abusers can get the help they need by:

• Making an anonymous call to the National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-4-A-Child). Non-judgmental hotline counselors will help them work through their problems, suggest alternative ways to interact with their children, and connect them with resources that are available in their community.
• Joining a support group. Parents Anonymous holds weekly meetings around the country to help people develop positive parenting skills. The group meetings are free of charge and parents are welcome to attend for as long as they wish.
• Seeking respite care. Many states offer respite care programs that will take care of a children for a few hours if they could be in danger of abuse. Such programs are not meant to be daycares, but they do offer an emergency solution for parents who need some immediate relief and don't have friends or family members they can turn to.

Stop child abuse when you see it. If you have trouble identifying the difference between child abuse and acceptable forms of discipline, take a look at the government's definition of child abuse. If you're concerned that a child may be abused, it's better to be safe than sorry. Here's what you can do:

• Call the National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-4-A-Child). During your anonymous call, their counselors can help you evaluate the situation and help you make a child abuse report to the proper authorities. If you are nervous about making a report, they will even stay on the line during a 3-way call to offer you support.
• Call your state's Department of Child Protective Services directly. They will take the information you provide and do a thorough investigation into the situation. If they find that child abuse is occurring, they will remove the child from the situation.
• If a child is in life-threatening danger, call 911 immediately.

It's time that people take a stand against child abuse. Your simple actions will help prevent child abuse and give abused children hope for a brighter future.


This comes from a fantastic website and excellent resource. They feature ways to make a difference in a few hours and as a volunteer as well. While they cover many issues from children to the environment, the pages dedicated to child welfare are impressive and informative. AGP kudos to this great website!

http://www.charityguide.org/index.htm

The sexualisation of boys and girls - Eureka Street

Jen Vuk November 13, 2009

The models gracing the pages of a recent issue of Vogue Bambini, an Italian magazine sold in Australia, couldn't have been more than nine or 10 years old. But in their revealing bikinis and cherry lip gloss they seemed anything but childlike or 'cherubic', as columnist and blogger Mia Freedman writes.

'[The] pre-pubescent girls in this ad ... are portrayed as music video skanks,' the mother of three writes scathingly at mamamia.com.au.

Freedman quickly explained why her blood boiled so quickly at the sight of the ad. She was in the midst of reading Getting Real: Challenging the Sexualisation of Girls, edited by Melinda Tankard Reist. It is a sombre new look at 'how we are eroding what was once the sacred space of childhood with a bombardment of appalling imagery and sexually suggestive ideas'.

The effects of such advertising on girls is well documented. In addition to Tankard Reist's book, recent books on the subject include The Lolita Effect by M. Gigi Durham, So Sexy So Soon by Diane Levin and Jean Kilbourne and What's Happening to Our Girls? Too Much, Too Soon — How Our Kids are Overstimulated, Oversold and Oversexed by Australian researcher Maggie Hamilton.

Hamilton's exhaustive research found that girls as young as nine are worrying whether or not they look sexy or considering having their first Brazilian wax, that at the age of 13 girls were 'sexting' X-rated images of themselves and, by 14, many had already had a staggering number of sexual partners.

As a mother of a toddler son you'd think I'd be breathing a sigh of relief. That by sheer virtue of giving birth to a boy our little family has escaped the advertisers' predatory influences. Nothing could be further from the truth. Although such ads are aimed squarely at girls of all ages (not to mention their cashed-up parents), the advertising net is designed to catch all the pretty children.

'Thong panties, padded bras ... T-shirts that boast 'Chick Magnet' for toddler boys,' write Levin and Kilbourne. 'Hot young female pop stars wearing provocative clothing and dancing suggestively while singing songs with sexual lyrics ... These stars are held up for our young daughters to emulate — and for our sons to see as objects of desire.'

Thankfully, my two-and-a-half-year-old son is yet to fall under the spell of MTV and Rage, but in wanting to steer him through the confusion of his own emotions, as well as make sense of the world around him, time is one luxury my husband and I can ill afford, according to the AMA.

'Evidence suggests that self-awareness starts to emerge around the age of 18 months, though this remains an area of research and debate. The age or stage of development when a child begins to evaluate their body for acceptability is still being investigated.'

It's not just the female ideal that's being peddled, either. 'Entertainment marketed to boys promotes the ideal of being handsome, muscly and aggressive,' says the Australian Council on Children and the Media.

Half-naked ingenues and pumped-up bully boys — no wonder we're seeing an unprecedented number of children with 'a lack self esteem and confidence', Dr Joe Tucci, the CEO of the Australian Childhood Foundation warned recently.

Perhaps more worryingly, according to well-known family therapist and parenting author Steve Biddulph, is that this kind of graphic sexuality is often devoid of emotion, attachment, consequences and 'heart' — a precarious visual cocktail for an audience with neither the maturity nor the understanding to discriminate.

Case in point. While it's easy enough to turn a deaf ear to a group of schoolboys no older than nine describing a female classmate as 'hot' (a conversation recently overheard by yours truly), it's not so easy to ignore reports of an alleged sexual assault at a Brisbane primary school on a group of prep-aged girls by boys roughly the same age. Speaking last month on the incident, Dr Michael Carr-Gregg said that in all his 20 years as a child psychologist he'd never come across sexual assault among children so young.

That the road should lead to one of Sydney University's oldest and most prestigious residential colleges can come as no surprise. The all-male St Paul's College came under fire earlier this week after it was revealed that past and present residents were involved in setting up a pro-rape website on Facebook.

In speaking on the incident, as well as on the university college system's perceived 'culture of ingrained misogyny and an acceptance of rape', the New South Wales Minister for Women, Linda Burney, hit the bullseye: 'I am sure that the families are horrified that their sons would have these sorts of attitudes and be involved in this sort of action,' she said.

Horrified doesn't cover the half of it.

Do I feel fortunate bringing a boy into this world? Absolutely. I feel blessed being a parent full-stop and revel in each moment of his development. But my role is naturally precarious. While it's near-impossible — and blatantly craven — to be blind to the pervasive sexualisation, I have no desire to turn into a helicopter parent (after all, one parent's risk aversion is another's paranoia).

Thankfully, my husband and I still have a few years up our sleeves before we're required to sit our son down for the 'birds and the bees' talk, but that doesn't mean we take our roles as co-custodians of our son's childhood any less seriously. Each day as he grows more aware of the messages around him, we hope to reveal a few home truths of our own; i.e. beauty is subjective, but aggression is not and when a young girl's body is stripped of its innocence then somehow we all lose out.

Child Abuse Experts Available to Discuss Precious

Released: 10/29/2009 9:30 PM EDT

Source: University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) Expert Available

Newswise — The much-anticipated movie Precious opens on November 6. The film, whose executive producers include Oprah Winfrey, tells the bleak story of an obese, illiterate 16-year-old Harlem girl who is pregnant with her second child (the result both times of sexual assaults by her father) and who suffers daily verbal and physical abuse at the hands of her mother. Her story, while shocking, is not unique, and UMDNJ medical and mental health professionals who work with abused children can discuss the urgent issue raised in Precious: the impact that physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect and domestic violence have on children and families.
“Precious may be fictional, but the life she describes is not; we’ve seen many cases like hers,” said Esther Deblinger, PhD, co-director of the CARES (Child Abuse Research and Education Services) Institute at UMDNJ. “Children like Precious exist in every community. They suffer unspeakable physical, sexual and emotional abuse and often suffer silently for years.”

To read the complete story: http://www.newswise.com/articles/child-abuse-experts-available-to-discuss-precious

American Humane Association Testifies for CAPTA

Great to see the American Humane Association testifying on Capitol Hill, supporting reauthorization and expansion of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA). Since American Humane is about the humane treatment of both children and animals it reminds us of an important point that you can share with any passionate pet owners or animal rights fans in your life: abused children are one of the biggest groups of animal cruelty perpetrators. Abused children are documented to be more prone to animal abuse and cruelty, passing on the abuse they've suffered themselves. So when people tout the importance of animal rights issues and you see those sad puppies on the ASPCA ads, be sure to help people recognize that the wellbeing of pets and animals is yet another issue we can positively impact if prevent child abuse and neglect.

Here is the news from American Humane's support of CAPTA:

American Humane Testifies for Reauthorization & Expansion of Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, Plus Increased Use of ‘Differential Response’ and Other Approaches

In testimony before the U.S. House Committee on Education and Labor’s Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities on Nov. 5, 2009, Caren Kaplan, MSW, director of child protection reform for the American Humane Association, strongly urged Congress to reauthorize and increase funding for the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), the landmark 1974 legislation that addresses child abuse and neglect. The hearing was titled “Preventing Child Abuse and Improving Responses to Families in Crisis.”

American Humane, a national nonprofit organization...

click here for the rest of the press release or here for more info on American Humane's testimony.

Making a Difference

Prevent Child Abuse America's House Party Weekend was a tremendous success. More than twenty-five parties were held across the country over the weekend, including one hosted by our founder, Bryan Specht and his wife Lauren through their family foundation, the Promised Land Society. The Spechts welcomed guests to Doc Ryan's Pub in Elmhurst, Illinois for a great night of good food, good friends and good fun. All in the spirit of raising funds and raising awareness of the ways we can prevent child abuse and neglect.

The goal was to raise $4,000 for PCA. With the generous donations of party goers as well as through the event website, the Specht's Foundation raised well over it's goal and the total continues to rise with donations still coming in.

You can still donate at http://member.preventchildabuse.org/goto/spechtparty to support the prevention of child abuse and neglect.

Schumer announces legislation for "Erin's Law"

This legislation targets additional support for smaller communities. It could be very helpful for rural areas that struggle to have adequate child protection staffing:

Sen. Schumer announces legislation for "Erin's Law" - NewsChannel 9 WSYR

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - Legislation inspired by the Oswego County murder case of Erin Maxwell will be introduced in the U.S. Senate by Sen. Charles Schumer. The legislation aims to create a federal program to assist cities in hiring more social service workers for child protection.

Click the link for more...

Children may display early signs of abuse

A great piece from the Chief of Police in Heyburn, ID talking about the cycle and signs of abuse.

Children may display early signs of abuse
By Dan Bristol Posted: Saturday, October 17, 2009 1:00 am

This week's column is going to be the most telling sign of why domestic violence is such a tough thing to fix. It is because when it comes to children dealing with domestic violence we miss the mark.

The children we don't help today become the next generation of batterers and victims. Children dealing with domestic violence give us plenty of clues. Whether or not we choose to pay attention to those clues could mean the difference between crime reduction and crime enhancement.
What we know is that children living with domestic violence not only witness domestic violence but can also get hurt when they get in the way, even if it's to protect a parent. What is also known is that at least 50 percent of the time when domestic violence is happening so is child abuse.

Children dealing with violence will exhibit clues that could reveal something at home isn't what it should be. The sad fact is that some children will not exhibit any clues at all. These children will sometimes become the perfect child, never acting out or showing signs of anger even when he or she had a valid reason to be angry. These are the children primed to become the victims of tomorrow.

Some children become aggressive towards others even attacking others (bullying). These children will...

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Great Video From Child Friendly Australia

This is a great video from Child Friendly Australia, demonstrating the importance of how we model behavior for our children. It's really not just about parents, but about how everyone acts in front of kids and the fact that seemingly unimportant acts by adults can actually carry tremendous weight in their influence over children. Kudos to the Aussies for this one. Very well done and very worth the 90 seconds to view it. Please pass it on.

Precisely The Type of Thing We Need To Promote!!!

This is an unfortunate example of an agency getting in the way of a very important and positive community-based practice that we need to see more of in this country. This stay-at-home mom is offering voluntary child care to her neighbor's children who get on the school bus in front of her house each day. But the Michigan Department of Health has told her she cannot do this because it is equivalent to operating an unlicensed child care service. We can certainly appreciate the intent of this law and importance of licensing child care providers, but this is a clear example of neighbors offering meaningful support to other neighbors and a well-intentioned system interfering with the type of behavior we want to see more of in our communities.

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Awful Grace Founder Speaks at Illinois Prevention Conference

The founder of The Awful Grace Project and The Promised Land Society, Bryan Specht, was the featured keynote speaker at the 15th Annual Illinois Child Abuse Prevention Conference in Springfield last week.

Specht called for a new national commitment to abuse prevention, starting with a national abuse prevention strategy to identify the best roles to be played by federal agencies, states, counties, municipalities, non-profits, corporations and the public in preventing the abuse and neglect of our nation's children. He also called for the creation of an executive level child advocate to serve independently of any agency and focus on integrating the efforts of departments such as HHS, Education and Justice, working to hold the agencies and various systems truly accountable for the needs of every child.

"If we can have a drug czar to battle a symptom of unaddressed trauma and mental illness, and we can have a car czar to try to save an industry, why wouldn't we have a 'child czar' to ensure the needs of the child - the whole child - are being effectively addressed?"

In referencing the need to prevent child maltreatment and the five deaths that it causes each day in the United States, he said "If not now, when? If not us, the greatest country in the history of the world, then who?"

He also spoke about resiliency, sharing the role that a policeman and a complete stranger both played in helping him turn his life around after struggling as a young man with addiction and other issues in the wake of his own abuse and neglect.

"Of resiliency, let me share this," he told the crowd of nearly 500 child services and abuse prevention professionals. "It is not some mystical force that comes from inside. It comes from the outside, from others, such as these two individuals who simply took a few minutes to care about someone else's child."

A Great New Video From The Promised Land Society

Here is an awesome new video from Prevent Child Abuse America and The Promised Land Society. Check it out and pass it on!

You can also visit the Promised Land's YouTube Channel here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ls5atSWBF7E

Child Exploitation or Overzealous Wal-Mart Employees?

This is definitely one of those cases where well-intentioned people do some serious damage to a family. These kids were taken away for an entire month!

Check it out...
Innocent Bath-Time Photos Get Kids Taken Away From Parents - ParentDish

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