What Do You See From Your Front Porch?American Humane Association How many of us ever notice a neighbor whose young children are left alone for hours at a time? Or see a child playing, covered with bruises or burns? Or witness a frustrated parent trying to manage three children, the chores, and his or her temper? How many of us feel afraid to help or powerless to make a difference? America is a land of limitless resources, wealth, and opportunities. Yet according to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System, in 2000 almost three million children were the subjects of a child protective services investigation or assessment. Of those, an estimated 879,000 children fell victim to abuse and neglect.  There is no single solution for the problem of child abuse in this country. But one thing is for certain: Every citizen can play a vital role in protecting children, preventing abuse, and helping create stronger families and communities. In observance of National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, American Humane, which has been protecting children from abuse, neglect, and exploitation since 1877, calls on all Americans to work individually and through community partnerships to create a nation in which no child is harmed. "American Humane's message is that protecting children, supporting families, and strengthening communities is not just a state or national responsibility, it is also an individual responsibility," says Leslie Wilmot, director of American Humane's Front Porch Project®. Wilmot notes that the publicly mandated child protection system is under funded, understaffed, and overburdened. Caseworkers are often unable to keep up with the demands of their jobs and it is the children who suffer. Additionally, most agencies respond only after abuse or neglect has already occurred. To prevent abuse from ever occurring, friends, families, and neighbors must realize they have a unique responsibility to intervene when necessary. Toward that end, American Humane's Front Porch Project is based on the premise that protecting children and strengthening families is a shared community responsibility that begins with individual involvement. It reflects the belief that everyone can -- and should -- become more aware of how to help protect children in their own communities. "In days past, American front porches were more than convenient sitting places; they served as networking centers where communities devised support systems to help each other through difficult times. Unfortunately, many Americans have forgotten that we are all partners in trying to create a safe and healthy community for children," says Wilmot. According to American Humane, most cases of child abuse and neglect are the result of factors like job loss, poor health, financial difficulties, substance abuse, immature parenting, and mental health problems. Any of these factors can create stress and reduce a parent's ability to cope. "In most cases, the smallest of gestures from a concerned neighbor can make a huge difference in diffusing a situation that could become worse for a child," says Wilmot. Here are some suggested interventions:
To learn more about how you can prevent child abuse in your community, please visit the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information
For more information, or to contact American Humane Association, see their website at: www.americanhumane.org |
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