MI Report: Cases of child abuse, neglect jump 92 percent in Ingham County

LANSING, MI — The rate of confirmed cases of child abuse and neglect in Ingham County jumped 92 percent from 2005-2011, according to a report released Thursday. Kids Count in Michigan, an annual report compiled by the Michigan League for Public Policy, ranks child well-being in each county and in the state as a whole. READ MORE HERE

Related: Statewide trends in Kids Count report show worsening well-being for Michigan’s children

SIOUX FALLS, SD -There have been several child abuse cases in the news recently.  And a child advocacy center in Sioux Falls is seeing more reported cases as well.  Dr. Nancy Free, the medical director at Child’s Voice, and Colleen Brazil, a forensic Interviewer, work hand-and-hand with victims of child abuse. They say child abuse cases are rising. “Every year our volumes increase by about 10 percent a year,” Free said.  “Some of that might be related to increase numbers in children being abused, but some of that is because of better reporting, better recognition.” READ MORE HERE

How big business is stealing our little girls’ childhoods

What girls really, really want, according to Lego, is their very own version of the popular plastic bricks.So, recently, the company started producing five curvy plastic ‘friends’ who bake, home-make, decorate, style hair and shop. Plus a plastic female ghetto called Heartlake City, which somehow manages to thrive without any fire-fighters or policemen. READ MORE HERE

Parents can learn new strategies for coping with parenting challenges from the many articles and experts on the Web. I’ve tried to organize those Web resources so that you can find the specific information you need. But, when a real change is needed in your parenting approach, you know it. Healthy families seek help when they need it. If you need help changing your parenting approach, a structured parenting program will guide you through the process. Can’t make it to a local parenting class? You’re in luck, because parenting education on the Web is the next best thing. Check these online parenting classes then sign up for the one that appeals to you. READ MORE HERE

Why is it Important to Attend Parenting Classes?

Pupils and parents warned over new social networking website linked to teen abuse

Ways To Stop Sexual Abuse

There are ways to stop sexual abuse, as well as ways to prevent sexual abuse. If you watch certain news magazine shows (like Dateline’s To Catch a Predator), and certain day-time talk shows, you will have a warped view of the current picture of sexual abuse in this nation. Most children who are sexually abused are not attacked by strangers, or by strange men on the Internet, or the creepy guy at the park. Fathers, mothers, aunts, uncles, grandparents, community leaders, cousins, siblings, step-siblings, and church officials are more likely to be the culprits when it comes to sexual abuse. But you are not helpless to stop them.

The first way to stop sexual abuse is to be vigilant. If your child began exhibiting classic signs of sexual abuse-odd or unaccounted for injuries, ripped clothing or underwear, depression, alcohol and drug abuse, hyper-sexuality, withdrawal-then you should investigate immediately. The second way to stop sexual abuse is to listen to your children and remove them from a dangerous situation. The third way to stop sexual abuse is to provide a safe environment for children who are in danger can go to. Children will not tell anybody what is happening to them unless they can find an adult they can trust completely. One who will believe them. One who will not blame the child for the situation. READ  MORE HERE

Child Abuse and Neglect
Recognizing, Preventing, and Reporting Child Abuse

Child abuse is more than bruises and broken bones. While physical abuse might be the most visible, other types of abuse, such as emotional abuse and neglect, also leave deep, lasting scars. The earlier abused children get help, the greater chance they have to heal and break the cycle—rather than perpetuating it. By learning about common signs of abuse and what you can do to intervene, you can make a huge difference in a child’s life. READ MORE HERE

PROSECUTION OF CHILD ABUSE

The National District Attorneys Association is the oldest and largest professional organization representing criminal prosecutors in the world. Its members come from the offices of district attorneys, state’s attorneys, attorneys general, and county and city prosecutors with responsibility for prosecuting criminal violations in every state and territory of the United States.

Its purposes are:

• to foster and maintain the honor and integrity of the prosecuting attorneys of the United States in both large and small jurisdictions by whatever title such attorneys may be known
• to improve and to facilitate the administration of justice in the United States;
• to promote the study of the law and legal research, the diffusion of knowledge and the continuing education of prosecuting attorneys, lawyers, law enforcement personnel, and other members of the interested public by various means including, but not limited to, arranging conferences and fostering periodic meetings for the discussion and solution of legal problems affecting the public interest in the administration of justice;
• to cause to be published and to distribute articles, reports, monographs, and other literary works on legal subjects or other related subjects;
• to provide to state and local prosecutors the knowledge, skills and support to ensure that justice is done and the public safety and rights of all are safeguarded.

READ MORE HERE

What Can NCPCA Do For You?

JUST RELEASED: This report presents national data about child abuse and neglect known to child protective services agencies in the United States during federal fiscal year 2011. Child fatalities are the most tragic consequence of maltreatment.For FFY 2011, a nationally estimated 1,570 children died from abuse and neglect.The number of reported child fatalities due to child abuse and neglect has fluctuated during the past 5 years, from 1,608 in 2007 to a high of 1,685 in 2009, and a low of 1,545 in 2011. READ MORE  HERE

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Table of Contents

Risk Factors That May Identify Child Abuse

A survey of around 26,000 adults found three factors raised the risk for physical child abuse by 15 times. Healthcare professionals can help keep an eye out for these risks. “It appears that children from homes with parental addictions, parental unemployment and parental divorce are particularly vulnerable to abuse. Such knowledge will hopefully improve the targeting of screening for childhood physical abuse,” said the lead author. READ MORE HERE

5 Tips to Protect Your Child From Sexual Abuse

The following five safety tips from RAINN focus on practical things parents can do to protect children from sexual abuse.

1. Talk.
Talk often with your child and set a tone of openness. Talking openly and directly will let your child know that it’s okay to talk to you when they have questions. If your child comes to you with concerns or questions, make time to listen and talk to them.

2. Teach.
Teach your child key safety principles. For instance:

• Teach children the names of their body parts so that they have the language to ask questions and express concerns about those body parts.
• If your child is uncomfortable or if someone is touching them, s/he should
  tell a trusted adult immediately.
• Let your children know that if someone is touching them or talking to
  them in ways that make them uncomfortable that it shouldn’t stay a secret.

3. Empower.
Your child should know that s/he has the right* *to* *speak up if they are uncomfortable, or if someone is touching them. It’s okay to say “no” even to adults they know and family members.

4. Implement.
Implement Internet safety protocols, and parental controls through platforms such as the Google Family Safety Center. Work with older children to set guidelines for who they can talk to online, and what information can be shared. For instance, be cautious when leaving status or away messages online and when using the “check-in” feature on Facebook or Foursquare.

5. Educate.
Educate yourself about the warning signs of childhood sexual abuse. Know what to look for, and the best way to respond.

If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual abuse, it’s not your fault. You are not alone. Help is available 24/7 through the National Sexual Assault Hotlines (800.656.HOPE and online.rainn.org).

Join the fight against sexual violence today

Protect Your Children | Child Safety And Protection

Protection of Minors

PERSONAL SAFETY FOR CHILDREN — A GUIDE FOR PARENTS

“Killer Kids” provides an in-depth profile of the lives of kids who kill. What can possibly motivate kids to commit criminal acts and even murder? From hate crimes to gang initiations, murders of family members to occult ceremonies, each case in the series exposes different motives and methods of murders by children.

Names of Newtown School Shooting Victims Released

Most of those killed in the attack were first-graders

20 Children:
Charlotte Bacon, 6
Daniel Barden, 7
Olivia Engel, 6
Josephine Gay, 7
Ana M. Marquez-Greene, 6
Dylan Hockley, 6
Madeleine F. Hsu, 6
Catherine V. Hubbard, 6
Chase Kowalski, 7
Jesse Lewis, 6
James Mattioli, 6
Grace McDonnell, 7
Emilie Parker, 6
Jack Pinto, 6
Noah Pozner, 6
Caroline Previdi, 6
Jessica Rekos, 6
Avielle Richman, 6
Benjamin Wheeler, 6
Allison N. Wyatt, 6

Six adults
Rachel Davino, 29
Dawn Hochsprung, 47, principal
Anne Marie Murphy, 52, special education teacher
Lauren Rousseau, 30, teacher
Mary Sherlach, 56, school psychologist
Victoria Soto, 27, first grade teacher

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How to help people of Sandy Hook

How to speak to your kids about the shootings at CT elementary school