Kids: you just can’t beat them! Published April 27, 2009 By Karen Bartholemeo Airman and Family Readiness Flight GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- April is National Child Abuse Awareness Month, and it is time once again to honor those who are our most precious treasures: our children. This April marks the 26th anniversary of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time dedicated to child abuse education, awareness and prevention activities. As noted in the Proclamation, signed by Col. Richard Ayres, 17th Training Wing commander, April 8, "the Family Advocacy Program, Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program and Airman and Family Readiness Center are working collaboratively as the action arm of our community to implement and promote prevention and support programs to curb incidents of, and risk for, child maltreatment, and sexual assault." Today, we are joining forces to educate and raise awareness for preventing violence against children. As the blue ribbon is the symbol for child abuse prevention, Family Advocacy urges every person to "get blue." We are providing blue ribbons at Bldg. 1007 during April and throughout the year so individuals can: - Help educate families, children, neighbors, organizations and communities on how to prevent child violence and neglect. - Encourage community and individual involvement in recognizing and preventing child violence and neglect. - Assist families in achieving healthy parenting practices through education and resources. - Empower individuals to report child victimization and intervene in situations where violence and neglect harm children. According to Love Our Children, reports of violence against children nationwide have increased by 30 percent in the last 10-years. More than 3 million children are victims of violence each year and almost 1.8 million children are reported missing each year, many of whom are abducted from their homes and front yards. Those are only the ones that are reported. The organization maintains that violence against children has reached epidemic proportions. "We can no longer overlook America's children who are at risk and peril every day -- and at even greater risk in times of stress. It is of critical importance that we educate the American public and raise a greater awareness to break the cycle of violence against children -- before it starts," said Ross Ellis, founder and CEO of Love Our Children, USA . "A child's voice is small, ignored and unheard. We must raise the volume so that everyone hears their message," Ellis said. "Imagine if everyone in the country wore a Blue Ribbon -- if every community, business, school, faith organization, hospital and home displayed a Blue Ribbon -- we could make such an impact in raising awareness to break the cycle that breaks children's hearts, their lives and their spirit." For more information on how you can help, call 654-5235.
