Imagine: A COMMUNITY WHERE CHILD ABUSE IS NOT TOLERATED
Being walkers with the dawn and morning,
Walkers with the sun and morning,
We are not afraid of night,
Nor days of gloom,
Nor darkness–
Being walkers with the sun and morning.
–Langston Hughes
April is National Poetry Month. Poetry celebrates with words all that is beautiful and exquisite, intense and powerful. Poetry expresses the full range of feelings we experience in our lives. There are moments of pain and sadness, but also times of bliss, unconditional love, playfulness and hope.
Imagine if all poetry expressed only despair and hopelessness, but none of the simple joys of just being alive? That’s what it’s like for more than 2,200 children brought to the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collier County every year. Many have spent their entire young lives experiencing only pain and fear as victims of physical and sexual abuse.
So maybe it’s no coincidence that National Poetry Month should coincide with National Child Abuse Prevention Month. It is also the 30th anniversary of the Children’s Advocacy Center. For 30 years, the CAC has been dedicated to improving the lives
of abused children; to help them out of that dark place of pain and hopelessness, as expressed in this beautiful poem by angston
Hughes, into a place where they can walk in a place of light, without fear.
CAC typically serves children referred by law enforcement or the Florida Department of Children and Families. These are the most severe or complex cases of child abuse and child witnesses of violent crime. CAC’s immediate action is to mobilize its Child Protection Team to make sure these children are safe and receive the medical treatment they need, and then to provide staff counseling and psychological services as well as family counseling and support, while its legal advocates remain with the children through the court process and beyond.
The long-term vision of the Children’s Advocacy Center is to create a community where child abuse is not tolerated. Both the City of Naples and Collier County wholeheartedly support this goal, and to honor this nonprofit organization’s 30 years of service to our youngest citizens, April 2016 has been proclaimed Children’s Advocacy Center Month.
This month, dialogues about child abuse and its solutions are being held publicly and privately in every community throughout the country. How can we each protect our children, grandchildren or a child we know against abuse?
How do we recognize signs of abuse in our community, and what are the resources to help? What can one person or one group do to help bring the simple poetic concepts of safety, love, joy and hope into the lives of the most vulnerable among us? The staff of the CAC offer these 10 ways we can all share the vision, beginning right now during National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
- PLAY Children learn that it’s okay to laugh and be silly from the adults they love. Get your face painted at the festival, too! Laughter is bonding, and conversation flows easier. If you have more than one child, do something special with each one individually. Walk the dog and talk, grab a sandwich and talk, window shop on 5th Avenue and talk. “Just me time” provides the opportunity for a child to be comfortable in sharing their feelings.
- ASK Be curious, and let them know you love hearing the little details from their school day, activity or play date. A
conversation starter such as “What was the funniest thing that happened today?” could lead to “What was the hardest
thing you had to do,” or “What was the scariest thing?” - LISTEN Often, a child will try to tell a trusted adult something indirectly. If she says she “hates” someone, keep listening for clues without pushing too hard. When a child doesn’t want to go home from school, or activities, or when he tends to
avoid one particular adult or older child, there is always a reason. It may be as simple as “he smells funny,” but it could
be something much more dangerous. Make sure that child is not alone with such a person until you find out what is
causing the feelings. - NOTICE Inappropriate clothing, such as long sleeves on a hot day, could be hiding marks or bruises. A sudden change in behavior, poor hygiene, or provocative talk, dress or actions could be a sign of abuse.
- CALL If you know or suspect a child is being abused, do not wait! Please call 1(800) 96-abuse. By state and federal child protection laws, adults can be held accountable for failure to act on behalf of an abused child, or even for allowing a child to witness domestic violence.
- REASSURE If a child is being bullied or abused, let them know that it is not their fault.
- VOLUNTEER Whatever your talent or interest; whatever time you have to give, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collier County has many opportunities to help make a difference. While volunteers cannot be assigned to work directly with the
children, volunteers are needed in the office, to serve on committees, to help with special events, and to staff Olivia’s
Closet, which provides clothing for the children served. To find out more about the CAC programs call 239.263.8383. - SUPPORT Individuals can donate new clothing with tags or new stuffed animals, or buy tickets to special fundraisers such
as the annual CAC Golf Classic coming up in May. Retail establishments can place donation boxes at their cash registers. Companies and organizations can host fundraisers or become event sponsors. - SPEAK OUT If you, a member of your family or someone you love has ever been a victim of abuse, sharing your story and providing resource materials can help empower others.
- INVEST Make a financial contribution that will help accomplish the vision to make Collier County a community where child abuse is not tolerated. Typically, intervention occurs only after abuse is reported. Greater investments in positive
parenting, education and family support programs have been proven to prevent abuse before it starts. For more information, visit www.caccollier.org or call Jackie Stephens, CEO, 239. 263.8383.
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