April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month

Like all months, April has its share of observances. From the warm-and-fuzzy National Pet Day to the lyrical National Poetry Month to the onerous Tax Day, April has something for everyone. Certainly more serious is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

According to childwelfare.gov, National Child Abuse Prevention Month is "to acknowledge the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect, and to promote the social and emotional well-being of children and families."

However, child abuse prevention is an everyday commitment, a priority and a need in the state of Missouri. As the Southeast Missourian reported at the beginning of the month, Missouri is "13th in the nation for maltreatment and neglect cases." Jeff Schmitt of Beacon Health Center said that most of these cases are "sexual assault and physical abuse," both of which have risen this year.

In an ideal world, children would never be subjected to abuse. Unfortunately, that is not our reality, so the goal, when children are being mistreated, is to remove them from that environment and place them somewhere safe. Agencies such as the not-for-profit Hope Children's Home in Jackson are dedicated to this. Executive director Crissy Mayberry painted the grim picture facing Cape Girardeau, Perry and Bollinger counties, stating that "348 children are in protective custody," but only 44 foster homes exist. This means that these children who have already undergone trauma no one should ever face have to also suffer the pain of removal from their own communities.

Children deserve to be protected and nurtured. They rely on adults to provide these. When the adults closest to them -- their parents -- fail to do so, their only hope is that others step up to fill the gap. Perhaps you and your family can accommodate a child who needs what you already have at your disposal -- a safe, loving environment that can serve as a temporary foster home, that place where hope is fostered.

If you suspect child abuse, please contact the Missouri Department of Social Services' Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at (800) 392-3738, local law enforcement or the Department of Children's Services in your area.