The 411 on Child Abuse
By: Amy Ramsey/Director of Community Outreach & Education
Child physical and sexual abuse is alive and overpowering all communities across our country. Hunt County is one of those communities that is literally overrun by cases of child physical or sexual abuse. Approximately every 15 hours in Hunt County there is a confirmed case of child abuse. These crimes have a lifelong effect on the children of this county and what type of adults they will become. Many of us may believe that we would be able to recognize if it is happening to our children. Even more of us believe that we would know who is the perpetrator. Unfortunately, upwards of 90% of all perpetrators are someone the child and the family knows, loves, and trusts. Strangers are only less than 1% of those that are perpetrators.
National research and statistics show that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused before they turn 18 years old. Only about 1 in 10 will even tell. The statistics in Hunt County line up with those nationwide numbers as well. It is in our backyard! Perpetrators will groom the child and the environment (including family members, etc) to ensure the child will not tell and the others in their life do not suspect the perpetrator. Grooming is done in a very subtle way using words, gifts, coercion, and also direct threats to the child.
This subject is so difficult to discuss or believe even exists to the level that is does. It is imperative on every adult to know the signs and if you suspect something, report it. Too many people do not want to get involved because they may not be sure or are afraid to break up a family. It is every adults mandated duty, by law, to report to law enforcement or CPS any suspicion they may have about physical or sexual abuse relating to a child. You may be the person that saves that child’s life, childhood, etc. You do not have to have evidence, just a reasonable suspicion and make a report without malice.
Some of the signs of child physical or sexual abuse are: unexplained injuries, changes in behavior, returning to earlier behaviors (such as thumb sucking or bed wetting), fear of going home, changes in eating, changes in sleeping, changes in school performance and attendance, lack of person care or hygiene, risk-taking behaviors, inappropriate sexual behaviors. If a child makes an outcry (tells you) something has happened to them, please follow these steps: listen and believe, remain calm, do NOT ask an abundance of questions, do NOT panic, do NOT press the child to talk, contact the law enforcement and call the Texas Child Abuse Hotline at 800-252-5400 as soon as possible.
Children in our lives, and specifically in Hunt County, are counting on you to stand up for them and report your suspicions or any specific information a child tells you about child physical or sexual abuse. For more information you can contact Amy Ramsey at 903-454-9999.