Beckley, WV (WOAY) – April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and Just for Kids Child Advocacy Center in Beckley is calling on communities to prioritize education and awareness as they are the most powerful tools available to protect children.
Executive Director Deanee Johnson says the numbers make the month’s message urgent, as more than 95% of cases that came in last year involved someone the child knew and trusted.
“Child Abuse Prevention Month is really about education and becoming more and more aware of what child abuse is, what it looks like, what you can do if you suspect,” Johnson said. “I would say educate yourself, ask questions, get involved in community agencies that support children. Just being more vocal about it and talking to your family about it, talking to your neighbors about it, and not staying in the silo and staying silent.”
Johnson says behavioral changes are often the earliest warning sign that something is wrong.
“Some of the common indicators are when children start to pull back from their normal situations, they lose interest in things that they may be interested in,” Johnson said. “If we’re talking about sexual abuse, then a lot of times they may be acting out inappropriately for their age … really paying attention to their social environments as well as their school. A lot of times you may see children’s grades drop. You can also see children’s grades get better because they end up finding solace in their academics.”
Johnson urges anyone with even a remote suspicion of abuse not to wait before reporting it.
“We always say error on the side of caution, because if there’s even a remote suspicion of abuse and you’re able to possibly stop that abuse, then you can make that report,” Johnson said. “It’s all of our problem. It’s not just a family unit’s problem. So stepping in and being proactive to stop abuse can really save a child’s life.”
Suspected child abuse can be reported anonymously to West Virginia’s Centralized Intake Hotline at 1-800-352-6513, or to local law enforcement.
