April is Child Abuse Prevention Month

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GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. The prevention of child abuse is a community effort. Your help is needed assist in identifying and reporting possible child abuse or neglectful behaviors.

Child abuse affects children of every age, race, and income level. Child maltreatment often takes place in the home and many times committed by a person the child knows and trusts including a parent, relative, babysitter, or family friend. Often people who mistreat children are ordinary people caught in stressful situations.

A first step in helping or getting help for a suspected abused or neglected child is to identify the signs and symptoms of abuse. There are four major types of child maltreatment including neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse.

Neglect is failure to provide for a child's basic needs such a food, proper clothing, proper shelter, medical care, or proper supervision.
· Lack of supervision- child is hurt or at risk for being hurt due to lack of supervision
· Educational neglect- extended or frequent absence from school, not enrolling child
· Abandonment-absence of a caretaker, leaving home, being away for extended periods of time
· Medical neglect- failure of the caregiver to provide appropriate, medically necessary care for the child
Possible symptoms:
· The child shows signs of malnutrition or begs, steals, or hoards food.
· The child has poor hygiene: matted hair, dirty skin, or severe body odor.
· The child has unattended physical or medical problems.
· The child states that no one is home to provide care.
· The child or caretaker abuses drugs or alcohol.

Physical abuse is intentional injury inflicted upon a child. It may include cuts, welts, shaking, twisting, bruises, burns, or even death. Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) - also known as Abusive Head Trauma (AHT) - considered child abuse and can be deadly
Possible symptoms:
· The child has broken bones or unexplained bruises, burns, or welts in various stages of healing.
· The child is unable to explain injury, or explanations given by the child or caretaker are inconsistent with the injury.
· The child is unusually frightened of a parent or caretaker, or is afraid to go home.
· The child reports intentional injury by parent or caretaker.

Sexual abuse includes activity with a child for the purpose of sexual gratification of the alleged offender or some other individual. This may be committed by an adult or older child.
· Exploitation
· Molestation
· Rape/Intercourse
· Other sexual maltreatment
Possible symptoms:
· The child has pain or bleeding in anal or genital area with redness or swelling.
· The child displays age-inappropriate play with toys, self, or others.
· The child has inappropriate knowledge about sex.
· The child reports sexual abuse.

Emotional abuse may occur when apparent fails to provide the understanding, warmth, attention, and supervision the child needs for healthy psychological growth.
· A pattern of active, intentional berating, disparaging, or other abusive behavior.
· It can involve passive or active inattention to the emotional, nurturing, or psychological needs of the child.
Possible symptoms:
· The parent or caretaker constantly criticizes, threatens, belittles, insults, or rejects the child with no evidence of love, support, or guidance.
· The child exhibits extremes in behavior from overly aggressive to overly passive.
· The child displays delayed physical, emotional, or intellectual development.

According to the Department of Defense Directive, Air Force Instruction 40-301, "All Active Duty members and DOD civilian employees must report all incidents of suspected family maltreatment."

Anyone can report suspected child abuse or neglect. Reporting abuse or neglect can protect a child and get help for a family -- it may even save a child's life.

If you would like to make a report or have any questions please contact Family Advocacy at 747-6806.