LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – This Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness month, Lubbock-area leaders are encouraging you to speak up if you see a child in need.
According to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, 2,088 children were confirmed victims of abuse in Region 1 last year. That region spans from Garza County up north to the Oklahoma border.
Lubbock County had 690 confirmed cases last year.
According to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, 2,088 children were confirmed victims of abuse in Region 1 last year.(MGN)
“This is a community and a public safety and a public health issue,” Dr. Jennifer Hansen said. “Abuse typically happens in a household or a family, but it has ripple effects on our community and safety.”
Dr. Hansen is a child abuse pediatrician with Texas Tech Physicians. She says the best way to shed light on the dark reality of abuse is by talking about it.
“Someone saying something and speaking up about a concern is usually how those problems are brought to our attention,” Dr. Hansen said.
That same sentiment is echoed by Abby Reed, the executive director for Family Guidance and Outreach. She says a key part in speaking up about abuse is recognizing the signs.
“If you start to see a sudden change in behavior in the child, if they suddenly withdraw or suddenly get aggressive, or start to fear going home – that can always be a sign,” Reed said.
Reed says other signs include bathroom regression and bed wetting, outbursts by parents and guardians that seem out of proportion, and hopelessness expressed by the child.
If you suspect abuse, Reed says it’s always better to report it than leave it alone.
“I think all parents would agree that they want their child protected at all costs, so always tell CPS,” Reed said. “You would much rather call CPS and they investigate and determine everything is okay than see that sweet child on the news because they’ve become a victim or statistic.”
Almost all child abuse happens within the home, or with a caretaker or friend close to the child.
Reed says sometimes it can happen when parents are underprepared and overwhelmed. That’s part of the reason why Family Guidance and Outreach offers free parenting classes and other resources to anyone in need.
“I’ve sat in both places as an overwhelmed parent who didn’t have resources, and also as a child who was a statistic,” Reed said. “I can say what ultimately would have prevented these numbers or me being a statistic would have been education, resources, and a community that’s not afraid to recognize the signs of abuse.”
As Dr. Hansen says, it takes a village to move away from reaction and closer to prevention.
“The idea of being a champion for children is empowering people to step up and say something when they have concerns,” Dr. Hansen said. “Also to offer support and education and things like that that can help move toward prevention.”
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