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Protecting children from abuse as economy puts more stress on parents
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The innocence of a child
AP Photo/Aaron Favila
As people continue to lose their jobs and struggle to pay their bills, child abuse in Florida and around the country is on the rise. Medical professionals are concerned that caregivers are falling behind in their ability to meet children’s basic needs.
April 2009 is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and President Obama issued a statement that begins as follows: "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....This month, we emphasize the importance of understanding child abuse and the need for all Americans to help families overcome this devastating problem."
President Obama’s call to all Americans to help prevent child abuse is consistent with both the Teachings and the psychological research on child abuse.
Quoted in Native Wisdom for White Minds, a Maori elder said, “Take care of our children. Take care of what they hear. Take care of what they see. Take care of what they feel. For how the children grow, so will be the shape of Aotearea.” It is the responsibility of the entire community to come together and care for the children, who will ultimately shape the future of the community itself.
Similarly, the psychological research consistently identifies economic hardship as a major contributor to child abuse, but it also identifies social support as a powerful deterrent to violence against children. In other words, the power of a community that is firmly committed to supporting each other and protecting its children can overcome whatever threat is posed by economic hardship.
If you see a caregiver in your community who needs a break, what could you do to help? Could you watch their children for a few hours to give them a break? Could you invite the family over for a stress-free dinner? Sometimes the smallest gesture of kindness can have an enormous impact. Call Prevent Child Abuse America at 1-800-244-5373 to hear automated information on what else you can do to prevent local child abuse.
And if you are a caregiver feeling completely overwhelmed, know that resources such as the following are available to you and eager to help you:
Florida's Parent Support HelpLine: 1-800-FLA-LOVE. Provides confidential counseling and referral to parents who are stressed, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Florida Respite Coalition - 1-866-FL-RELIEF (1-866-357-3543). Respite, a break for caregivers and families, is a service in which temporary care is provided to a child or adult with disabilities or chronic or terminal illnesses and to persons at risk of abuse and neglect. This line helps parents, caregivers and professionals find respite services in their state and local area. Available 8:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Monday to Friday.
Parent Support Groups in South Florida:
- http://www.southflorida.com/sfparenting/sfe-sfp-parent-support,0,520126.story
- http://www.southfloridaparents.com/support_groups.htm
- http://www.ounce.org/COP/CDade.asp
A wealth of other community resources can also be found here.
We are all in this recession together. As John Donne wrote, “No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main.” No one is alone.
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