Click on the links below to
learn even more!
Think of six little children you know and love.  Which one would you be OK with being abused or neglected?  Think
of three girls you know.  Think of five boys you know.  Which one would you be OK with being sexually abused?  A
third of all girls and a fifth of boys are sexually abused by an adult during childhood.  Last year in El Paso, an
average of 6 children per day were confirmed of being abused/neglected (total of 2,337 children were abused in
2010, some were abused repeatedly).  That doesn’t include the hundreds of abused and neglected children that
go unconfirmed or unreported every year.  

With only a few days before Child Abuse Prevention month begins in April, another child (4-yr-old Dallas Macias)
in El Paso has allegedly died as a result of child abuse.  Nationally, an average of 5 children die each day from
child abuse/neglect.  If the same rate of children were dying daily from a virus, would we not rush to find a
vaccine?  And children who are abused or neglected may live with months or years of pain before they die.  

We rally behind breast cancer awareness, heart disease awareness, diabetes awareness, colon cancer
awareness, etc. as we should.  But child abuse and neglect is only briefly highlighted in the media, often just when
the abuse ends in death.  Do we strongly stand behind the prevention of diseases because there is no person to
blame for the diseases and random, undeserving people get these diseases?  Abused children are even more
undeserving of the pain inflicted upon them.  Child abuse isn’t a “pretty” cause to stand behind, but it too is
preventable! Children are the most vulnerable population there is.   They depend solely on adults to protect
them.  It is everyone’s obligation to do just that.  

Why do we let such a high rate of child abuse occur?
•        Parents feel that they will be seen as bad parents if they ask for help.  ~Parenting is not easy.  Parents
should be encouraged to seek help from organizations, family members, neighbors, and anyone else that can
help them when they feel overwhelmed and stressed.
•        Many parents don’t know the technique of loving discipline.   ~When moms and dads have a baby, they are
not given a set of instructions on how to lovingly raise their child.  However, there are numerous resources to help
make parenting easier for new and seasoned parents.  We are given instructions on everything from driving to
cooking a meal to using a remote.  Why aren’t all parents given instructions on how to raise their children in a
healthy and loving environment?
•        People don’t recognize the signs of child abuse until it is too late.  ~Most people can learn about the signs of
child abuse with a click of a button.  There is unlimited information on child abuse signs and effects on the
internet.  Some possible signs of child abuse and neglect are: unexplained injuries, changes in behavior,
returning to earlier behaviors, fear of going home, changes in eating, changes in sleeping, changes in school
performance and attendance, lack of personal care or hygiene, risk-taking behaviors, inappropriate sexual
behaviors.
•        Although it shouldn't be, sexual abuse is an embarassing subject for the victim and the victim's family
members.  Victims are manipulated into thinking sexual abuse is their fault, are threatened to be harmed if they
speak up, are told no one will believe them, and are confused because the person who violated them is often
someone they trust and love.  If a child tells you they have been sexually violated, believe them and find help!
•        People who suspect child abuse feel it isn’t their place to speak up.  People need to understand that they
may be the only voice an abused child has, and it is their obligation to speak up.   Child abuse/neglect of any kind
can anonymously be reported by calling the Texas Abuse Hotline at 1-800-252-5400 or the Childhelp National
Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453).  Please leave as much information about the
suspected victim or abuser as you can (name, address, contact information) or authorities may not be able to
help!

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month in the United States, and folks display blue ribbons everywhere to promote
awareness and prevent child abuse. Many of the blue ribbons are placed in memory of children who were
tragically lost at the hands of abusers.  Child abuse may take many forms, including emotional abuse, neglect,
physical abuse, sexual abuse and verbal abuse.

How can you support Child Abuse Prevention Month and Go Blue Day?  Starting April 1st, individuals who wish to
show their support can wear the blue ribbons on collars, lapels or elsewhere on their garments.  They might tie
blue ribbons on car antennas, briefcases, pocketbooks or backpacks. Blue ribbons can also be displayed on
bicycles, cars, door knockers, mailboxes, scooters, tree branches, wagons, wreaths or windows.  Some companies
set aside Go Blue Day as "Wear Blue to Work Day" to commemorate National Child Abuse Prevention Month.  By
raising awareness of child abuse and demonstrating both interest and care for the welfare of children, individuals
can help to prevent it. Each April, the Blue Ribbon Campaign gives our community an opportunity for discussion
and action on behalf of the children who need protection and support.
Child Abuse and Neglect- A Preventable "Disease"
By:  Adrienne Nevarez
Grant/Fund Developer
"Protecting Our Children,
Preserving Our Future"
Want to learn more about how
we are preventing child abuse?
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P: 915-562-7955
F: 915-562-2524
anevarez@childcrisiselp.org
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