(CASA & Children's Advocacy Center)
Child Abuse Awareness Month
The Cost of Child Abuse Throughout the month of April, Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Fannin County Children’s Center will focus efforts on increasing awareness about the incidence of child abuse and neglect and the long-term impact this issue has on every citizen in the community. As the economic impact of child abuse and neglect becomes clearer, the Children’s Center works to provide a full spectrum of services with the goal to stop the cycle of abuse and its long term effects. A September 2007 Economic Impact Study, performed by Prevent Child Abuse America*, estimated that the national annual cost of child abuse and neglect in America is $103.8 billion. While this monetary figure can never encompass the pain, suffering and emotional toll abuse takes on children, it does highlight the direct and indirect ways child abuse affects our society. It is probably no surprise that direct costs can include hospital bills, mental health care, child welfare, law enforcement services, and court costs. However, once the child is treated for the initial abuse, the cost is far from over. Research shows that abuse victims are disproportionately affected by unemployment, likely to suffer from chronic medical and mental health conditions and more likely than other children to end up in the juvenile or adult correctional population. These statistics create both a loss of productivity to society and a cost to taxpayers. However, with the appropriate treatment and support, healing can begin and this cycle, as well as the long term effects to society, can be stopped. This is why the Children’s Center provides a full spectrum of services to each child abuse victim who comes through its doors. "Child abuse and neglect is of concern to all of us not only because children in our community are being victimized and robbed of their childhoods but also due to the overall impact abuse has on society as a whole," says Sandy Barber, executive director of the Children’s Center. "We, as a community, have an obligation and a need to recognize and deal with this perpetuating cycle of abuse," says Barber. Last year the Children’s Center’s CASA program provided trained volunteer advocates to 85 children in the custody of Child Protective Services (CPS). The agency’s Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) opened 117 new cases and provided 105 forensic interviews and 437 counseling sessions. The Rainbow Rooms provided nearly $11,000 worth of new clothing, shoes, diapers, coats and other supplies to 227 children served by CPS, CASA and CAC. According to the Data Book of the Texas Department of Protective and Family Services, there were 119 confirmed cases of child abuse in Fannin County last year. This is a 20% increase over the previous year when 99 children were confirmed victims of abuse. "Studies show that early intervention is vital if abused children are to succeed in coping with the effects of abuse. With early intervention, we can significantly increase the likelihood that a child will grow up to be a healthy, productive adult and good parent," says Barber. The center also works with representatives from the Fannin County Attorney’s Office, Child Protective Services, local law enforcement agencies, professional counselors, specially trained medical personnel and victim advocates. "By bringing these professionals together in an environment designed for cooperation and collaboration, we are able to minimize the number of times children must tell their story. Our goal is to break the cycle of abuse, one child at a time, " says Barber. To report suspicions of child abuse, call the CPS 24 hour toll free hotline at 1-800-252-5400. * Wang, Chin-Tung Ph.D., Holton, John Ph.D, (2007). Total Estimated Cost of Child Abuse and Neglect in the United States. Prevent Child Abuse America, Chicago, Illinois. |
Shoe Display This display of 119 pairs of children's shoes symbolizes the 119 children who were confirmed victims of child abuse and neglect in Fannin County last year, according to the 2007 Data Book of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. This shoe display was set up by the Fannin County Children's Center during the month of April on the first floor of the Fannin County Courthouse.
Fannin County Children's Center
112 West Fifth Street Bonham,TX 75418 USA
Phone: 903.583.4339 Fax: 903.583.3074
Email: info@fanninccc.org