Child Abuse Awareness Month
Thousands of children are subjected to abuse and neglect in their homes every year. In many cases we have worked on, our firm has heard heartbreaking stories of the horrific specifics they have endured. No child should ever be subject to such horrible treatment by their care providers. Not only is the abuse of a child cruel, but these early years are incredibly formative. The consequences of abuse can harm a child’s physical, emotional, and mental health well into adulthood, should the effects of their abuses even allow them to live so long.
They say that it takes a village to raise a child. We all have a responsibility to help protect children, not just because they are young and vulnerable, but also people and community members. However, some contingents of our nation are using the topic of child abuse to attack other groups, such as the LGBTQ+ community. It is sickening that political pundits and many of their supporters are utilizing the genuine harm many children are affected by to justify their hatred and prejudices.
If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, we recommend taking the following steps to protect the health and safety of the child:
- Call the police – Law enforcement officials can contact the appropriate social services agency or handle the investigation themselves.
- Do not get personally involved – Do not directly approach the parents and tell them that you think they are mistreating the child. You could put yourself in danger by doing so.
- Call an anonymous hotline – Many hotlines are available if you suspect a child is being abused. The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services has a 24-hour child abuse hotline.
- Call 800-252-2873. You do not have to give your name. But you could be making a massive difference in a child’s life.
- Contact a social services agency – Each state has a social services agency created to help protect the health and welfare of children. Contact them and let them know something is wrong.
- Call our law firm – At any point, don’t hesitate to contact us immediately. We can help you every step of the way.
Child abuse does not happen at drag story time hours. It often occurs with a trusted caregiver or another familiar adult. If we are genuinely interested in helping children, let us help them and not use them as pawns for other political agendas.
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