Editorial: Preventing child abuse and neglect often begins with adults who are willing to take action

Two hundred and one.

Ponder this figure for awhile. It’s the number of children who died as a direct result of child abuse and neglect in Florida in 2008.

Such is the sobering revelation in the December 2009 annual report produced by the State Child Abuse Death Review Committee.

Sadly, violence against children — and neglect of children — is increasing, not decreasing, in the Sunshine State and the Treasure Coast.

The 201 deaths in 2008 represent about a 20 percent increase from 2007, when 163 children died from verified child abuse or neglect. Of the 201 deaths, 184 of the children were 5 years old or younger.

In our three-county region, eight children died from abuse or neglect in 2008 (seven in St. Lucie County, one in Indian River County), up from five in 2007.

The death of even one child from abuse or neglect always is a tragedy — even more so because it is preventable.

The solution often is a parent who recognizes the need to get counseling, a spouse who intervenes when his/her partner is abusing a son or daughter, a neighbor who suspects child abuse and calls the Florida Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-96-ABUSE), or a conscientious citizen who is willing to make a donation to an organization that helps counsel families to prevent abuse, and works to prevent child abuse and help adults become loving, caring parents.

The state’s rising unemployment rate — and the related pressures it puts on families — and substance abuse are two of the causative factors contributing to the increase in child deaths, according to the report.

“The most tragic consequences of child abuse and neglect is a child’s death,” the report states. “The well being of a victim depends on the adults who are willing to take action.”

Ultimately, preventing child abuse and neglect often is a personal issue requiring a personal decision to act in the best interests of a child. Are you on the look out for child abuse? Do you know the warning signs? Do you know what to do and how to respond if you suspect child abuse? (Log on to www.exchangecastle.org for valuable resources and answers to these and other questions.)

Finally, are you willing to take action?

Your intervention may mean the difference between life and death for a child.

Source: http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2010/feb/08/editorial-preventing-child-abuse-and-neglect-who/