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About Cottage Grove sentinel. (Cottage Grove, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (April 15, 2021)
COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL | APRIL 15, 2021 | 11A April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month Child Abuse Prevention Month has its roots in 1982, when Congress designated June 6–12 as the fi rst National Child Abuse Prevention Week. The next year, President Reagan established April as the fi rst National Child Abuse Prevention Month. The Children’s Bureau’s National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, produced promotional materials like posters, bumper stickers, and buttons. For example, 1984’s theme was the blunt “Kids—You can’t beat ’em.” Print, radio, and television PSA carried the message, “Take time out. Don’t take it out on your kid.” The Blue Ribbon Campaign to Prevent Child Abuse dates to 1989, when a grandmother in Virginia tied a blue ribbon to the antenna of her car to memorialize her grandson, who had died as a result of abuse, and spread the word to her community about the problem of child abuse. More information and a timeline of nationwide prevention eff orts can be found at the Children’s Bureau website. • Lacks adult supervision • The child is overly compliant, passive or withdrawn • Arrives at school or other activities early, stays late and does not want to go home How to recognize signs of child abuse or neglect • Looks primarily to the child for care, attention and satisfaction of emotional needs No matter who you are, you have a part to play in preventing child abuse. You may be in a position to give help – or a position to receive it. It’s all about being the best parent you can be . . . and about supporting parents to do so. Here, ideas for things you can do, whatever your role. The majority of adults across the globe would no doubt insist that they cannot fathom ever harming a child. And while that may be true, child abuse is an issue across the globe, and it’s more prevalent than many people may know. The World Health Organization notes that one in four adults across the globe were abused as children. Data from the WHO also indicates that about 41,000 children under the age of 15 are victims of homicide every year.People may feel helpless in regard to preventing child abuse, as abuse is often perpetrated behind closed doors. In addition, some people may hesitate to report child abuse because they are unsure if what they see is abuse. In recognition of that, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families notes that the fi rst step in helping abused or neglected children is learning to recognize the signs of abuse and neglect. Indications of abuse and neglect may be noticeable in both children and their parents, so people who suspect a child is being abused or neglected can keep an eye for the following signs. Parent(s) • Shows little concern for the child • Is in denial about the existence of the child’s problems at school or at home, or blames the child for such problems • Requests harsh discipline be employed by teachers or other caregivers if the child misbehaves • Views the child as entirely bad, worthless or burdensome • Demands a level of physical or academic performance the child cannot achieve Child and parent(s) • Rarely touch or look at each other • Consider their relationship entirely negative • State their dislike for each other These are just some of the signs that may indicate children are being abused and/or neglected. It’s important to note that there are various forms of child abuse, and each may produce its own unique indicators. More information about child abuse and how to recognize it can be found at www.childwelfare. gov For more information on the history of Pinwheels for Preven tion. Pinwheels are a symbol of the safe, happy, and carefree childhood that every child deserves. More than just an awareness campaign, the goal of Pinwheels for Prevention is to remind people to take action to prevent abuse and neglect from happening in the fi rst place. When businesses and organizations across the country commit to displaying pinwheels in April, they make a public statement about the importance of recognizing both the seriousness of abuse and the opportunity we have right now – this month, this day, in this region – to end it. http://preventchildabuse.org/resource/pinwheels-for- prevention/ Children • Sudden changes in behavior or school performance • Lack of medical attention for physical and medical problems brought to the parents’ attention • Learning problems, including diffi culty with concentration, that cannot be attributed to specifi c physical or psychological causes • The child is always watchful, as if preparing for something bad to happen FOUNTAIN GUTTERS Cottage Grove (541) 729-9515 BANNER BANK 25 Gateway Blvd Cottage Grove (541) 942-3331 LOOKING GLASS COMMUNITY SERVICES 508 E Whiteaker Ave Cottage Grove, OR 97424 (541) 767-3823 SUSAN BENNETT REALTOR Eugene Track Town Realtors LLC 2295 Coburg Road Set 203 Eugene, OR 97401 (541) 743-1331 FORT ROCK CONSTRUCTION Cottage Grove, OR 97424 (541) 767-1611 DAVE’S PUMP & CONSTRUCTION 76082 London Rd Cottage Grove, OR 97424 (541)942-9635 MAGNOLIA GARDENS 1425 Daugherty Ave Cottage Grove, OR 97424 541 942-0054 April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a reminder that every child deserves to feel safe at home and in his or her community. STARFIRE LUMBER COTTAGE GROVE SENTINTEL 116 N. 6th • P.O. Box 35 Cottage Grove, OR 97424 541-942-3325 If you feel you are in danger of harming your child, help is available. Reach out to church or family support resources in your community or speak confi dentially with a Childhelp ® counselor at 800.422.4453. Or call us Locally. South Lane Mental Health Services, Inc. 1345 Birch Ave., Cottage Grove 541-942-3939 • slmh.org