Already on edge, the parent loses it when the baby cries too loud, or
has a tantrum at the store because the parent can’t afford to buy the toy
their child wants.
Child Protective Services’ 2009 statistics for El Paso reveal that of the
2246 children who were confirmed victims of abuse, 434 were physically
abused, 184 were sexually abused, 336 were physically or medically
neglected, and 1610 were victims of neglectful supervision. The
remaining confirmed abuse cases were due to other factors.* In El
Paso, 98.2% of the abusers were the child’s parent(s) as compared to
74% across the State.
We at the El Paso Child Crisis Center believe that spanking and hitting
a child is never the right response. It only serves to teach children that
violence is an acceptable form of behavior, and perpetuates abuse from
one generation to the next. If a parent who spanks or slaps his or her
child were to be honest and ask, “Do I hit my child because my child
‘deserved it’ or do I do it because I am angry and frustrated?” I’m
betting the honest answer is it is done out of anger and frustration. I
would add that no child ever “deserves it.”
Patience and knowledge are the keys to responsible parenting. While
these skills are not easy to develop, parents can learn them with the
resources available at the El Paso Child Crisis Center. One coping skill
we teach is stepping back. If life circumstances are causing undue
stress and your child is on your nerves, take a break. Recognize that it’
s ok to call grandma, aunt “Carmen” or a trusted friend to take care of
your child for a few hours or a couple of days. If you don’t have a family
member or trusted friend, the Child Crisis Center of El Paso can help.
One of the many services the center provides is parent education.
Parents can develop skills that can help better understand a child’s
behavior and how to manage them. If coping with your children is
difficult, enroll in a parenting class offered by the Child Crisis Center.
After all, babies don’t come with instructions. All services provided at
the Child Crisis Center are free and are available to everyone.
Child abuse can happen in any family, to any child. While it is the
parents’ responsibility to protect their children, there are many who will
step in to help if asked. The children of these recent cases did not
deserve to die or suffer at the hands of their parents or guardians and
no child deserves to get hurt. April is Child Abuse Prevention month.
Be aware that if you, or someone you know needs support, the Child
Crisis Center is here to help.
If you suspect that someone is abusing their child, report it
immediately. The Child Abuse Hotline is 1-800-252-5400. Child
Protective Services is an ally for the family. Their goal is to preserve the
family. A report to CPS can open the door to resources that stressed
parents may badly need, yet are not aware exist.
The community needs to get involved too. There are over 40 agencies
in El Paso County with missions that help prevent child abuse and
neglect or serve children. Most of the agencies are non-profits that
have faced serious funding reductions due to the current economy.
Agencies like the Child Crisis Center of El Paso, C.A.S.A., The Child
Advocacy Center of El Paso, the El Paso Center for Children, the Lee
Moore Children’s Home and others exist specifically to protect children.
At a time when they are needed the most, they are challenged to bring
in the funds they need to maintain services. You can call the United
Way of El Paso County for information on any of these agencies or call
211.
*Department of Family and Protective Services Annual Report, www.dfps.state.tx.
us/documents/about/Data_Books_and_Annual_Reports/2009/5CPS.pdf
has a tantrum at the store because the parent can’t afford to buy the toy
their child wants.
Child Protective Services’ 2009 statistics for El Paso reveal that of the
2246 children who were confirmed victims of abuse, 434 were physically
abused, 184 were sexually abused, 336 were physically or medically
neglected, and 1610 were victims of neglectful supervision. The
remaining confirmed abuse cases were due to other factors.* In El
Paso, 98.2% of the abusers were the child’s parent(s) as compared to
74% across the State.
We at the El Paso Child Crisis Center believe that spanking and hitting
a child is never the right response. It only serves to teach children that
violence is an acceptable form of behavior, and perpetuates abuse from
one generation to the next. If a parent who spanks or slaps his or her
child were to be honest and ask, “Do I hit my child because my child
‘deserved it’ or do I do it because I am angry and frustrated?” I’m
betting the honest answer is it is done out of anger and frustration. I
would add that no child ever “deserves it.”
Patience and knowledge are the keys to responsible parenting. While
these skills are not easy to develop, parents can learn them with the
resources available at the El Paso Child Crisis Center. One coping skill
we teach is stepping back. If life circumstances are causing undue
stress and your child is on your nerves, take a break. Recognize that it’
s ok to call grandma, aunt “Carmen” or a trusted friend to take care of
your child for a few hours or a couple of days. If you don’t have a family
member or trusted friend, the Child Crisis Center of El Paso can help.
One of the many services the center provides is parent education.
Parents can develop skills that can help better understand a child’s
behavior and how to manage them. If coping with your children is
difficult, enroll in a parenting class offered by the Child Crisis Center.
After all, babies don’t come with instructions. All services provided at
the Child Crisis Center are free and are available to everyone.
Child abuse can happen in any family, to any child. While it is the
parents’ responsibility to protect their children, there are many who will
step in to help if asked. The children of these recent cases did not
deserve to die or suffer at the hands of their parents or guardians and
no child deserves to get hurt. April is Child Abuse Prevention month.
Be aware that if you, or someone you know needs support, the Child
Crisis Center is here to help.
If you suspect that someone is abusing their child, report it
immediately. The Child Abuse Hotline is 1-800-252-5400. Child
Protective Services is an ally for the family. Their goal is to preserve the
family. A report to CPS can open the door to resources that stressed
parents may badly need, yet are not aware exist.
The community needs to get involved too. There are over 40 agencies
in El Paso County with missions that help prevent child abuse and
neglect or serve children. Most of the agencies are non-profits that
have faced serious funding reductions due to the current economy.
Agencies like the Child Crisis Center of El Paso, C.A.S.A., The Child
Advocacy Center of El Paso, the El Paso Center for Children, the Lee
Moore Children’s Home and others exist specifically to protect children.
At a time when they are needed the most, they are challenged to bring
in the funds they need to maintain services. You can call the United
Way of El Paso County for information on any of these agencies or call
211.
*Department of Family and Protective Services Annual Report, www.dfps.state.tx.
us/documents/about/Data_Books_and_Annual_Reports/2009/5CPS.pdf
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| 1. In 2005, 12.1 of every 1,000 American children, almost 900,000 in all, suffered abuse by adults, with parents of victims accounting for almost 80% of abusers. 2. Every day, about four children die in the U.S. because of abuse or neglect, most of them babies or toddlers. 3. For every incident of child abuse or neglect that gets reported, it’s estimated that two others go unreported. 4. Neglect is by far the most common form of child abuse, accounting for more than 60% of all cases. 5. Physical abuse accounts for between 15% and 20% of documented child abuse cases each year. 6. A third of all girls and a fifth of boys are sexually abused by an adult during childhood. 7. 8 out of 10 sexual abusers are someone in the family or someone the child knows. 8. About 10% of babies are born to drug-using mothers. 9. Of kids who have a parent who uses drugs, one in 13 is physically abused regularly. 10. Abused children are more likely to abuse alcohol and become addicted to drugs, and one third will later abuse their own children. 11. Of all prison inmates, 84% were abused as children. Sources Baltimore County Way 2 Hope Home Child Abuse.com Child Welfare League of America Child Help |
| 11 Facts About Child Abuse |
| In the U.S., Most Common… • Person reporting abuse/neglect School Professional (18.9%) • Allegation confirmed Neglectful Supervision (62.0%) • Confirmed perpetrator of abuse/neglect Relationship: Parent (78.1%) Gender: Female (56.8%) Age: Age 26-35 (37.7%) Marital Status: Married (29.4%) • Characteristic of confirmed victim Age: Age 1 to 3 (25.1%) Gender: Female (51.7%) |
| 2100 N. Stevens El Paso, TX 79930 (915) 562-7955 |
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| If you are stressed to the point that you think you may harm your child, please call us. We can help! |
| Child Abuse – Children Don’t Deserve It By: Al Velarde, Executive Director, Child Crisis Center of El Paso |
The experts say that child abuse is
most often caused by factors not
related to the child’s behavior.
Stress caused by the loss of a job,
financial problems, single parenting,
substance abuse, marital or
relationship problems, and even just
having a bad day can result in a
parent lashing out at their children.
most often caused by factors not
related to the child’s behavior.
Stress caused by the loss of a job,
financial problems, single parenting,
substance abuse, marital or
relationship problems, and even just
having a bad day can result in a
parent lashing out at their children.
