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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (April 1, 1988)
PAGE 5 SOCIAL SERVICES WORKING TO PREVENT CHILD ABUSE Child Abuse preventive month was established by Presidential proclamation in 1983. Today, April is recognized nationally as Child Abuse Prevention Month. Your tribal Social Services Department is making a special effort to raise everyone's awareness around the belief that "it shouldn't hurt to be a child". Last year, 22 children in the state of Oregon died from injuries related to child abuse. These were the reported cases, we do not know how many others may have gone undetected. One of the highest rated songs heard on the radio, recently was a ten year old girl singing about child abuse. Also a song, "My name is Luka", was nominated for three Grammy Awards. This song dealt with child abuse in an urban setting. These two songs demonstrate the public's awareness to the ever growing problem of . young lives cut short due to the tempers of adults: Social issues of unemployment, alcohol and drug abuse have become reoccurring themes in many cases of abuse. As adults we need to take time out. Not take it out on our kids. Child abuse comes in many forms. Physical abuse,' sexual abuse and one that can be most devastating, psychological or verbal abuse. You don't have to lift a hand to hurt your child. Words hit as hard as a fist. Children believe what their parents tell them. Next time, stop and listen to what you're saying. You might not believe your ears. The following are good examples of bad verbal abuse: "Your pathetic You can't do anything right" "You disgust me. Just shut up" "Hey stupid! Don't you know how to listen" "Get outta here! I'm tired of looking at your face" "You're more trouble then you're worth" "Why don't you go out and find another place to live" "I wish you were never bora" This past year, the United States was stunned, when the news was broadcast about a young girl dying from abuse at the hands of her adoptive parents. The parents, both professional people, showed us that abusive parents can come from all walks of life. From lawyers to millwork ers, abuse is common to all occupations. Indian people are not immune to the disease of child abuse. Currently, our tribe has over 60 cases involving some kind of abuse and neglect of our children. Tribal staff have organized a Child Protective Services Team to handle the referrals and investigations of abuse to children. When a person calls our office with a confi dential referral of abuse, we act on it immediately. We also keep all calls confidential. If you call us, your name will not be used on any report or told to anyone. Many abuse cases never get reported until something tragic happens. The earlier the intervention the better the results. Never feel as though you are nosey or guilty when you report a possible abuse. Our children need caring people to pick up the telephone and report when something is wrong. The Tribal office number is 879-5211. Everyone in Social Services has been trained to take your call and see that the information gets to the appropriate staff person. Please call before it gets too late for the children. ADVISORY APPOINTMENT Social Services Director Mary Ring has been appointed to serve on the state Advisory Committee on Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect. "I want to thank you for the time, talent, and effort you bring to this important position. Together we can make a difference and I look forward to working with you on the Oregon Comeback," said Neil Goldschmidt in a written statement to Ring announcing her appointment. There are no bruises. And no broken bones. She seems the picture of the perfect child. But if you look closely you can see how rejection, Fearmd constant humiliation have left scars that have tragically affected her childhood. So now only a shattered spirit remains. And the light of laughter has gone out. Remember that words hit as hard as a fist. So watch what you say. You don't have to lift a hand to hurt your child. -Child Abuse Campaign TWELVE ALTERNATIVES TO LASHING OUT AT YOUR CHILDREN You don't have to lift a hand to hurt your child. Words hit as hard as a fist. The next time everyday pressures build up to such a pitch that you feel like lashing out...STOPI! And try any of these simple alternatives: 1) Put your hands over your mouth. Count to 10, or better yet, 20. 2) Stop in your tracks, press your lips together and breathe deeply. 3) Phone a friend. 4) Phone the weather. 5) Say the alphabet out loud 6) If someone can watch the children, go outside and take a leisurely walk. 7) Take a hot bath or splash cold water on your face. 8) Pick up a pencil and write down your thoughts. 9) Close your eyes and imagine you're hearing what your child hears. 10) Turn on your radio or TV. 11) Hug a pillow. 12) Ask for help from your Tribal Office, 879-5211. -Child Abuse Campaign ELDERS!!! Don't Forget that April 26, 1988 Social Services has planned a field trip to Oregon State University. We are going to visit the pictorial archives. The staff at Oregon State has prepared many pictures for viewing and identification. Anyone interested in attending, needs to bring a sack lunch and be at the Tribal Office at 10:00 a.m. ready to go. If you have any questions, please call Joann at 879-5211. We would like anyone who is interested in going, to contact the office, so that we can work out any transportation difficulties. SUICIDE PREVENTION On March 15 -18, 1988, Mary Ring and Youth Repre sentative, Cindy Martin attended the United Northwest Tribes Suicide Prevention Conference. Suicide among the Indian population has increased dramatically in the past three years. Most people tend to only feel a moment of sympathy for someone who has lost a loved one to suicide. The devastation comes when the loss is closer to you personally. We met men and women who have lost not one, but up to five family members to suicide. Many young people spoke to the gathering about their personal suicide attempts and the reasons why they felt they would be better off dead. Alcohol and drug abuse, teen pregnancies, loneliness, and someone else's suicide were some of the major factors in suicide attempts in Indian youth today. Feelings of low self-esteem and thinking that nobody in the world cares led these young ones to attempt suicide. When asked what could be done to slow down the rate of suicides among teenagers, these young people responded with: 1) After hours hot lines. 2) Return to Traditional Beliefs 3) Better Communication 4) Prevention Education As the Social Services Department looks to the future for programs, we will be keeping suicide prevention at the top of our priority list. If you need to talk with someone, our staff is always available to listen.