April is child abuse prevention month
The need for recognition and taking steps to prevent child abuse is essential in halting the exponential rise of cases not only throughout the United States but especially within Grimes County. The Grimes County Child Welfare Board reported there were 64 confirmed cases of child abuse or neglect reported within the county in 2018 and there are 47 Grimes County children in foster care as of January 2019.
Fighting abuse
in Grimes County
The Grimes County Welfare Board was commissioned in 2016 and has supported efforts to nurture children at risk, working closely with Child Protective Services (CPS). Some of the efforts of the board have included providing money for clothing, car seats, medication and emergency protective shelter such as hotels. Grimes County provides an allotted amount of money to the welfare board, but unclaimed jury fees also go directly to the board.
Boudreaux said there continues to be a severe need for foster homes within Grimes County, as confirmed cases come to light.
“Currently there is only one foster home in Grimes County and sometimes a child is forced to stay in a CPS office overnight,” said Boudreaux.
Citizens seeking more information on becoming a foster parent are urged to visit dfps.state.tx.us.
The prevalence of abuse
According to healthychildren.org , approximately 3 million cases of child abuse and neglect involving almost 5.5 million children are reported each year. Abuse is defined by the Texas DFPS as mental, emotional, physical or sexual injury to a child or person 65 years or older, or an adult with disabilities or failure to prevent such injury. Neglect of a child includes failure to provide a child with food, clothing, shelter and or medical care and or leaving a child in a situation where the child is at risk of harm.
A song released by Jason Michael Carroll in 2006, “Alyssa Lies,” depicted the inevitable horror when child abuse continues without being reported. The song refers to a dad whose daughter met a new friend named Alyssa at school. The daughter comes home and tells the dad that her friend lies. A portion of the lyrics read, “Because Alyssa lies to the classroom, Alyssa lies every day at school, Alyssa lies to the teachers, as she tries to cover every bruise.”
At the end of the song, it is apparent that Alyssa loses her life to the abuser because observers neglected the warning signs and did not report the abuse to authorities. To help prevent such an occurrence for future children, a complete list of warning signs for physical, emotional and sexual abuse and neglect can be found at dfps.state.tx.us.
How to report
Texas law states anyone who thinks a child or person 65 years or older, or an adult with disabilities is being abused, neglected or exploited must report it to Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). Citizens must report abuse and are urged to report abuse by calling 1-800-252-5400 or online at texasabusehotline.org . If there is a question that the witnessed incident is abuse, operators with the hotline can advise callers.
DFPS staff are required by law to keep the reporter’s identity confidential. However, a name and contact information can be given to field investigators, law enforcement and a judge if the case proceeds.
National Blue Sunday
The members of the Child Welfare Board - Boudreaux, Gail Sowell, Sherry Fauth, Robert Goldstein, Lester Underwood, Sharon Allen, Ruby Carr, Mary Nichols, Talitta Coleman and Davis Dobyanski - invite citizens to participate in the National Blue Sunday of Prayer held April 28. National Blue Sunday is the day churches across the nation take time to pray for the victims of child abuse and pray for those who rescue them.