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37 percent increase from 2008 to 2009
By Jennifer Rios
Posted April 8, 2010 at 9:36 p.m.
SAN ANGELO, Texas — Eight years after her toddler son was beaten by an ex-boyfriend, Treva Sullivan is still battling child abuse — but now it’s through her work with the Children’s Advocacy Center.
“Now I give back what I learned,” she said.
She helps teach other parents every Thursday night to strengthen their families through one of the center’s prevention programs, and she helps out with any events the center hosts. Several of those events are coming up this month — Child Abuse Prevention Month is April, and the organization marks it as a time to look at all aspects of abuse, from recognizing it to reporting it and preventing it.
In 2009, Tom Green County reported 516 confirmed victims of child abuse and neglect — 10 cases a week — according to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, an increase of 37 percent from 373 confirmed cases in 2008.
It’s the highest number Deidre McCoy said she has seen in the past seven years. McCoy, a spokeswoman for the Child Advocacy Center, said she hopes the increase is the result of more people reporting the often-undiscussed crimes.
“Most victims don’t discuss it, and it goes unnoticed,” she said.
Neglect was shown as the most prevalent form of abuse, followed by physical, emotion and sexual abuse. Failing to feed, clothe, shelter or provide medical help to children is definitely a problem in San Angelo, McCoy said.
Abuse or neglect also can lead to problems later on in life, McCoy said — behavioral issues, psychological problems and ultimately crime or repeated abuse.
“It’s almost like a silent society killer,” McCoy said.
During April the center is hosting and promoting events to bring attention to child abuse and emphasize the need for early detection and prevention. On April 18, free food, drinks and entertainment will be offered to everyone from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the fifth annual Picnic in the Park at Kirby Community Park, in the 1400 block of Edmund Boulevard.
McCoy said it is a positive way to engage families by offering prizes and giveaways while agency booths are available to address questions the public has about child care.
A two-day seminar April 15 and 16, that focuses on shaken-baby syndrome will be offered mainly for attorneys, medical officials and law-enforcement, child-care and legal personnel, McCoy said.
The center also hosts prevention courses that deal with any parenting concern, “even something as silly as getting your 3-year-old to eat asparagus,” McCoy said.
The goal is to reduce the number of families who need intervention services such as CASA and Hope House, which is set up to help children deal with abuse and the court proceedings associated with it.
Last year, CPS reported 68,326 confirmed abuse and neglect victims in Texas.
To review deaths in children and teenagers 18 and younger, a local child fatality review team meets once a month to watch for patterns, caused by abuse or other factors. Law enforcement, attorneys, medical personnel and child care workers make up the list.
Tom Green County showed two child deaths from abuse or neglect in 2009. The state showed 280 such deaths during the year.
Johnny Garza, a civilian employee at Goodfellow Air Force Base and retired airman, has served on the team since it was incorporated, about five years ago.
“We look for trends to see if there’s any prevention measures we can take to prevent some of these deaths from occurring,” Garza said.
Items from teens texting while driving and seat belt laws to babies who die from severe head trauma are examined and discussed at the team’s meetings. After discussing cases, board members make sure all services, including medical and counseling, were provided to the child and the child’s family, and they ensure a child was removed from an accused perpetrator.
“I do it because I care what happens to our children,” he said.
BY THE NUMBERS
Texas state child population: 6,510,210
Children, alleged victims: 283,922
Child victims, confirmed by investigations: 100,762
Children removed by state: 12,107
Counties, confirmed child abuse cases out of child population
Coke — 7 cases, 798
Concho — 15 cases, 525
Kimble — 20 cases, 992
Menard — 22 cases, 505
Runnels — 43 cases, 2,847
Schleicher — 118 cases, 740
Sterling — 0 cases, 296
Sutton — 11 cases, 1,135
Tom Green — 516 cases, 25,495
Taylor — 697 cases, 33,995
Midland — 362 cases, 34,237
The Parent Project
What: A class to learn effective prevention and intervention techniques and to teach children the consequences of their actions. For families with children 11 to 17. Free class; dinner and child care provided. Registration required for this 10-week session.
When: 6 to 9 p.m. Thursdays
Next session: Classes begin Thursday
Parents Anonymous Support Groups
What: A class for parents to discuss parenting issues with others. Children and teens meet at the same time. Registration is not required, and drop-ins are welcome.
When: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays
Where: First United Methodist Church, 37 E. Beauregard
Parent Mentor Program
What: Offers families a one-on-one in-home family support service to strengthen families with children 11 to 17. Registration required for the 10-week sessions.
When: Classes begin Thursday and July 22
Child abuse statistics, 2009
Texas state child population: 6,510,210
Children, alleged victims: 283,922
Child victims, confirmed by investigations: 100,762
Children removed by state: 12,107
To report child abuse: www.txabusehotline.org
http://www.gosanangelo.com/news/2010/apr/08/countys-child-abuse-cases-soar/
Emphasis added by H4K Editor |