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NC Department of Health and Human Services published on social media, “Mark your calendars! This Friday, April 1st, is Wear Blue Day! Wear your best blue outfit to help us raise awareness for Child Abuse Prevention Month. Share photos with the hashtags: #WearBlueDay2022 & #BeAConnection.”

Preventchildabusenc.org states, “While every season is a new opportunity to build sturdy foundations for children, April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and we ALL have a stake in preparing NC’s children to grow up to be healthy, thriving members of our community.”

Child abuse and neglect are all too common occurrences.

There are four distinguishable types of abuse:

Physical Abuse – Injuring a child by hitting, kicking, shaking, or burning, etc. him/her; also includes throwing objects at the child.
Emotional Maltreatment – Crushing a child’s spirit with degrading derogatory verbal attacks, threats, or humiliation.
Sexual Abuse – Sexual contact with a child (incest, inappropriate touching, rape); pornographic use of a child.
Neglect – Failure to provide for a child s physical or emotional needs (food, clothing, shelter, medical care, physical or emotional attention); failure to provide guidance or supervision, abandonment.

While it is important to note that any one of these could mean anything or nothing, there are signs that may signal the presence of child abuse or neglect. There are several reasons a child may be overly compliant when trying to please a teacher or not want to go home on a particular day. However, the presence of two or more of these should raise a red flag and give reason to, at least, talk to the child and/or parent or, at most, call your local Child Protective Services agency. Keep in mind, issues related solely to poverty are not considered child maltreatment issues.

Signs of abuse include:

The Child:

Shows sudden changes in behavior or school performance

Displays overt sexualized behavior or exhibits sexual knowledge that is inconsistent with their age

Has not received medical attention for a physical injury that has been brought to the parents’ attention

Has learning problems that cannot be attributed to specific physical or psychological causes

Is always watchful, as though preparing for something bad to happen

Is overly compliant, an overachiever or too responsible

Comes to school early, stays late and does not want to go home

Has unexplained burns, bites, bruises, broken bones or black eyes

Has bruises or marks in non-prominent, “fleshy” areas of the body (for example, inside of biceps or behind the knees)

Has fading bruises or other marks noticeable after an absence from school

Seems frightened of the parents and protests or cries when it is time to go home from school

Shrinks at the approach of adults

Reports injury by a parent or another adult caregiver

The Parent or Other Adult Caregiver:

Shows little concern for the child, rarely responding to the school’s requests for information, conferences, or home visits

Denies the existence of or blames the child for problems in school or at home

Asks the classroom teacher to use harsh physical discipline if the child misbehaves

Sees the child as entirely bad, worthless, or burdensome

Demands perfection, or a level of physical or academic performance the child cannot achieve

Offers conflicting, unconvincing, or no explanation for the child’s injury

Describes the child as “evil” or in some other very negative way

Is abusing alcohol, prescription drugs, or illegal drugs, and that abuse is having an adverse impact on the child

Uses harsh physical discipline with the child

Has a history of abuse as a child

If you suspect that a child is being abused or neglected or think a child may have died from being mistreated, you must report what you know to the county Department of Social Services. This is the law. Do not be afraid to report. As long as you act in good faith, you cannot be held liable by law.

If you are a parent who needs help, please ask. It will not be seen as a sign of weakness but instead as a sign of strength. Triple P’s – Positive Parenting Program is a free online program. Visit the NC Services and Information Catalog, or call the DHHS Customer Service Center (1-800-662-7030) for assistance finding programs and people to help you.

If there is an emergency, call 911. To report suspected child maltreatment, contact a county department of Social Services.

Find out more at https://www.preventchildabusenc.org/.

Related articles:

https://bladencounty.org/april-is-child-advocate-and-child-abuse-prevention-month/

https://bladencounty.org/bladen-county-department-of-social-services-offers-child-abuse-prevention-information/