Smoke Signals
February 1994
Page 6
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Even In Grand Ronde,
Child Abuse Exists
"I handle abuse cases from all over the Six County Service Area," explained
Joann Mercier, Grand Ronde Social Services Case Worker. "Child abuse happens
right here in Polk and Yamhill counties. Sometimes people dont believe it's going on,
but it is!"
Joann works with authorities
from Children's Services
Division, the Sheriffs
Department, and other state
agencies when investigating
reports of child abuse in tribal
households. An instance of
child abuse could mean
physical abuse, sexual abuse,
or neglect.
"I may get a report
from a relative, police, or
CSD," said Joann. "Then I
investigate the allegations.
The first step in helping
abused children is getting the
child away from the
perpetrator."
In most cases, Joann
would prefer to remove the
abuser from the home rather
than the child. Removal from
the home could result in
further traumatization,
especially if the child is very
young.
i '
Lmk 'n . mini -innrn-ir -"" ''
Joann Mercier
It's important for the children to
know that what has happened
to them is not their fault
She explained, "In some cases, we can send the child to live with friends or
relatives until the case is resolved."
Of all the types of abuse, Joann says that the most common are sexual abuse
and neglect. She adds, however, that the majority of abuse cases go unreported in our
society. She encourages people who suspect abuse in a family of someone they know,
even their own, to report it. It's better to be wrong than to let the abuse continue. You
can call the Tribal Social Services Department or your local police department to
report a crime of child abuse. It is not necessary to leave your name. Said Joann,
"Remember, you could be saving someone's life. Reporting your suspicions may be
a little uncomfortable, but it's worth it."
After an abusive situationhas beendiscovered, the child will be psychologically
evaluated, and some form of counseling is almost always recommended. It is
important for the children to know that what has happened to them is not their fault.
Joann has been a case worker for the Tribe since 1986, and has never closed
a case. "Of all the cases I have handled," she said, "there are some kids who I still keep
in contact with. Ivisitwiththemandspendtimewiththem." Thetribal phone numbers
are 1-800-422-0232 and 879-221 1. Joann's extension is 2038.
DEFINITION OF CHILD ABUSE
ORS 418.740
Any physical injury to a child which has been caused by anything other than
accidental means, including any injury which appears to be a variance with the
explanation of the injury.
Any mental injury to a child, which shall include only observable and
substantial impairment of the child's mental or psychological abilities to
function caused by cruelty to the child, with due regard to the culture of the
"Sexual abuse including, but not limited to, rape, sodomy, sexual abuse, sexual
penetration with foreign object, and incest, as those acts are defined in
ORS.163. t m , - ,
Sexualexploitation,incIudinguseofchadrenforpornographyandprostitution.
Negligent treatment or maltreatment of a child, including but not limited to,
failure to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, or medical care. Any child
who is under care or treatment solely by spiritual means pursuant to the
religious beliefs or practices of the child or the child's parents or guardians
shall not for this reason alone be considered a neglected or abused child.
"Threatened harm to the child, which means subjecting the child to substantial
risk or harm to the child's health or welfare.
WE PRAY FOR CHILDREN
We pray for children
who sneak popsicles before supper,
who erase holes in math workbooks,
who can never find their shoes.
And we pray for those
who stare at photographers from behind the barbed wire,
who can't bound down the street in a new pair of sneakers,
who never "counted potatoes",
who are born in places we wouldn't be caught dead,
who never go to the circus,
who live in an X-rated world.
We pray for children
who bring us sticky kisses and fistfuls of dandelions,
who hug us in a hurry and forget their lunch money.
And we pray for those
who never get dessert
who have no safe blanket to drag behind them,
who watch their parents watch them die,
who can't find any bread to steal,
who don't have any rooms to clean up,
whose pictures aren't on anybody's dresser,
whose monsters are real.
We pray for children
who spend all their allowance before Tuesday,
who throw tantmms in a grocery store and pick at their food,
who like ghost stories,
who shove dirty clothes under the bed, and never rinse out the tub,
who get visits from the tooth fairy
who don't like to be kissed in front of the carpool,
who squirm in church or temple and scream into the phone,
whose tears we sometimes laugh at and whose smiles can make us cry.
And we pray for those
who will eat anything,
who have never seen a dentist,
who aren't spoiled by anybody,
who go to bed hungry and cry themselves to sleep,
who live and move, but have no being.
We pray for children who want to be carried
and for those who must,
for those we never give up on and for those
who don't get a second chance.
For those we smother...and for those who will grab
the hand of anybody kind enough to offer it.
Marian Wright Edelman