Your Opinion: Learn the signs of child abuse

Dear Editor:

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and the U.S. Commission to Eliminate Child Abuse Fatalities has just released their final report: http://eliminatechildabusefatalities.sites.usa.gov/

This report makes a very important point about our country needing a system that does not solely rely on state Child Protective Services agencies to keep all children safe. There are other key systems in our communities that are critical partners: the courts, law enforcement, child advocacy centers, the medical community, child treatment agencies and schools. Along with family and friends, neighbors who come into regular contact with young children are essential pieces to the prevention puzzle.

At the state level, the commission's report condemned high caseloads and stressful working conditions for child protection workers. "Shortages of workers, funds and training may mean that inexperienced workers are tasked with making life-or-death decisions with insufficient preparation or support," said the commission's report.

Recent local Jefferson City child abuse cases are glaring examples of friends, families and neighbors who may have suspected, but did not report child abuse. The News Tribune reported on March 1 that a Cole County Grand Jury indicted a Jefferson City man on charges of child abuse that involved a female victim under the age of 2. In February of this year, another Jefferson City man was charged with child abuse of his 5-month-old son. Family and friends must have seen the bruises, red marks and scars reported by medical examinations.

Another recent high-profile Missouri child abuse case came to a conclusion in Kansas City in January 2016. This little girl, who was found locked in a closet, is alive today because someone finally (after many years of suffering abuse and starvation) anonymously reported the abuse.

Please learn the signs of child abuse and how to report suspected abuse or neglect. We all must pay attention to children in our world, they are our future and deserve our protection! Calls to the Missouri's child abuse hotline number can be anonymous: 1-800-392-3738.