EDITORIAL: We have a problem with child abuse
Apr. 16—Anybody who reads this newspaper knows Southwest Missouri has a problem.
Children are a blessing from the Lord, says the psalmist, but despite the prevalence of churches around here, that message is not getting out.
Child abuse runs rampant in our region. Rare is the day that we don't hear of a new report or read about a new criminal charge involving child abuse in its many ugly forms — everything from physical and sexual abuse to neglect and sex trafficking.
Last year, Missouri's Child Abuse/Neglect Hotline Unit received more than 61,000 reported incidents of child abuse involving more than 86,000 children in Missouri.
Many of these reports were not or cannot be substantiated, but over the past five years more than 23,000 cases of child abuse have been substantiated by investigators in Missouri.
During the last reporting year, 44 children in Missouri died as a result of abuse; over the last five years, 272 children in the state died of abuse.
But let's be honest ... child abuse goes well beyond the kinds of behavior that result in charges and newspaper headlines.
Giving our children access to social media escalated the level of bullying.
About one-fourth of children in this country grow up in fatherless homes, which, to us, is another form of abuse, given what we now know about the impact of that on children who have been abandoned by their fathers.
Since 1983, April has been designated as Child Abuse Prevention Month. It is a good time to challenge ourselves to get involved.
What can you do?
—When you see something, call. Missouri's toll-free number for reporting child abuse/neglect is 1-800-392-3738.
—Volunteeer. There are numerous groups working on behalf of children, and they need help. Jasper County CASA is one, dedicated to recruiting, training and supporting volunteers, called court-appointed special advocates, who advocate for children in Jasper County who have experienced abuse or neglect, and who have a case in juvenile court. Each volunteer remains on a case until the case is closed through reunification with a family member or kinship connection, adoption/guardianship or "aging out" of the system.
—Consider foster care and adoption. Hundreds of children in our area who have been removed from their homes await a loving, stable environment, perhaps temporarily, but often permanently. Opening your home to children who do not have one will be one of the toughest one of the most rewarding things you can do.
