Guest Column: You are the Key to Stopping Child Abuse

By Warren County Prosecutor Rachel Hutzel

This is child abuse awareness month. Preventing child abuse is the responsibility of all adults, even if we don’t have small children of our own. So, how do we know when to get involved in a child’s life? Here are a few pointers for adults to help protect the children in our communities.

1. Learn the Facts and Understand the risks - Experts estimate that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys are sexually abused before their 18th birthday. These numbers show that in every community, in every classroom, there is probably a child that is being abused and in need of help. Unfortunately, most children never report the abuse to authorities and will never receive help if those around them are not able to see the problem and seek help.

2. Minimize Opportunity – 80 % of sexual abuse cases occur in situations where a child is left alone with an adult. Preventing these one on one situations wherever possible will greatly reduce the opportunities that offenders have. Monitoring children’s internet usage is also a key step in assuring that predators do not have access to children.

3. Talk about it – Abusers often manipulate children to believe that it is their fault or that they will be in trouble if they talk about their abuse. Breaking down these barriers and talking openly with children about abuse will help prevent the abuse from occurring and will help those children that have been abused get the help they need.

4. Stay Alert – In the vast majority of abuse cases physical signs of violence are not obvious. Far more common is behavioral changes and signs such as depression, unexplained anger and rebellion. Watching for these signs can be a first clue that a child is being abused.

5. Make a Plan – The way an adult reacts to child abuse can be as important as spotting the abuse. Very few reported incidents of abuse are false. Believe the child and praise their courage. Seek the help of a professional and do not panic. Your support for the child is vital.

6. Act on Suspicions – If you are faced with a situation where you suspect abuse, but have no proof, do not keep this to yourself. Contact your local child advocacy center or call a child abuse helpline. For most people their instincts are accurate.

7. Get Involved – There are many people out there who share with me the belief that protecting the children of our community is a fundamental obligation that we all have, but don’t know how to help.

I recently helped host a Victim Awareness Event to raise awareness about child abuse in our community. Three amazing young women came forward and spoke about their personal experiences with abuse and neglect. Each one of these young ladies discussed the fact that there were many adults who had the opportunity to help them but failed to recognize the warning signs. If these seven steps were followed by the community, we might have stopped their abusers. By working together we can eradicate child abuse here in Warren County and across the country.