Child abuse prevention essential to kids

Dear Editor,

We know $104 billion is not small change, especially in our current economic environment.

It is the kind of money that should make every American take pause, every politician take a stand and everyone who cares about children rethink the way we – as a country, as a state, as a community – think about child abuse and neglect.

A study released in January by Prevent Child Abuse America and the Pew Charitable Trusts calculated the economic impact of our failure to prevent child abuse and neglect at $103.8 billion for 2007 alone. It begs the question, “Why aren’t we focused on preventing abuse, rather than responding after it has occurred?”

Isn’t prevention the right thing to do for our children, our country and our economy?

We must do more than respond to abuse through prosecution and intervention. Primary prevention must be a primary priority.

But what does “prevention” really mean? It means stopping child abuse and neglect before it ever occurs. It means initiating and supporting services and policies that allow communities to create conditions that allow parents to be the kinds of parents they want to be.

It also means assuring resources for programs such as voluntary home visiting, parent education, mental health services and substance abuse treatment for all families regardless of wealth. It means providing safe and healthy environments in which children can grow.

Prevention priorities have historically lagged behind abuse response measures but the ‘winds of change’ clearly have begun to blow.

As our state recognizes April as Child Abuse Prevention Month please take note of the thousands of pinwheels planted around the state, which are part of nearly half a million nationwide for Prevent Child Abuse America’s Pinwheels for Prevention campaign. The pinwheels represent nurtured children, supported families, and engaged communities.

They represent the changes that are occurring in the belief that we know child abuse and neglect can be prevented.

Throughout the state, Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana works to provide healthy, safe and nurturing experiences for more than 20,000 families every year. Let’s ask ourselves the same question every time we see a pinwheel for prevention … what do we need to do differently to stop more children from ever being abused or neglected?

We know the answer; the research is clear.

Now it is time to do something about it. Be a part of the solution and help us create healthier and stronger communities.

For more answers, please visit www.pcal.org.

Anna Fogle

President/CEO, Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana