In a perfect world, there would not be a need for a national campaign during the month of April to raise awareness for child abuse.
Unfortunately, the world we live in shows us it's far from perfect.
With 457 allegations of abuse and neglect in this county alone during 2021, Guernsey County Children Services is participating in the national campaign to raise awareness in hopes of ending one of the most troubling crimes in history — attacks on children.
"All of us play a critical role in ensuring children are safe, supported and afforded the opportunity for a promising future without fear of abuse and neglect," said Children Services Executive Director Nicole Caldwell.
"In 2021, children requiring out-of-home placement was at an all-time high in our community. Guernsey County Children Services experienced the highest number of children in foster care that we have ever seen.
"If we are going to experience a change in our community, we need to focus on our youth," added Caldwell.
The number of investigated abuse and neglect cases last year was up from 431 in 2020.
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services reported national rounded number of children who received a child protective services investigation response or alternative response totaled 3,145,000 for FFY 2020 — the latest year for available statistics.
That data shows 76.1% of victims were neglected, 16.5% were physically abused, 9.4% were sexually abused and 0.2 percent were sex trafficked.
Project Harmony, one of the largest Child Advocacy Centers in the nation, reports one in 10 children will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday, 91% of child sex abuse victims know their abuser and 3.3 million children witness domestic violence in their homes each year.
While it may be impossible to visualize a world where there is no abuse, Caldwell and her staff believe the first step toward solving the crisis is creating positive childhood for every child.
"Everyday heroes such as parents, family members, educators, service providers, public officials and members of the faith-based community share the responsibility to create positive childhoods," said Caldwell. "Positive childhoods lead to promising futures. We need everyday heroes to invest in our children now so that we can build a better tomorrow."
Caldwell said many people have asked her what they can do to help the children in Guernsey County and other locations.
"They can volunteer …to be a Court-Appointed Special Advocate, a WIC (Women Interested in Children), a lunch buddy, or in a civic organization," she said. "They can become a foster or adoptive parent, they can recognize families and children in our community who need help and do something to help them.
"They can donate to a group that helps families and children," continued Caldwell. "There are many opportunities to help."
The ultimate pitfall for helping a child is good intentions, instead of taking action.
Sometimes we walk away and think, yes I am going to help. I am going to volunteer and do this, this, and this, but when we step back into our busy lives it is easy to lose track of those things we intended to do," said Caldwell.
Children's Services will sponsor multiple events during April to raise awareness for child abuse. The following is a look at some of those events.
- April 1 at noon — Kick off and pinwheel plant at the Cambridge Municipal Court lawn in Cambridge where 457 pinwheels will be planted by members of the community to represent each case of investigated abuse or neglect in 2021.
- April 13 — Wear Blue Day. Individuals have been invited to dress in blue to bring awareness to Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention. They can take a picture and tag Children Services on its Facebook page at Guernsey County Children Services. The submitted pictures will be entered for a chance to win a variety of prizes. Winners will be selected through a random drawing.
- April 21 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. — Community baby shower at Guernsey County Children Services for expectant or new parents. Call 740-439-5555 to register for the shower.
Caldwell said Children Services will also be encouraging families to Chalk the Walk and tag the agency on its Facebook page at Guernsey County Children Services throughout the month of April.
Families who participate will use sidewalk chalk to create a picture of what prevention means to them. Submitted pictures will be entered in a random weekly drawing to win family fun baskets.
Also throughout the month of April, babies born at local childbirth centers will receive onesies and hats with a shaken baby prevention message.
The Guernsey County Courthouse will be shining blue to help bring awareness to April being Child Abuse Prevention Month.
"In a time where resources are dwindling, let’s put our collective resources together to meet the needs in our community, let's act on our intentions, let's help each other, and let's strengthen Guernsey County," said Caldwell.
Child abuse and neglect can be reported to Children Services, 740-439-5555 or local law enforcement agencies including the Cambridge Police Department at 740-439-4431, Byesville Police Department at 740-685-2121 or Guernsey County Sheriff's Office at 740-439-4455. In the event of an emergency call 911.
