Protect the Innocent

English novelist Eliot George wrote, “In the man whose childhood has known caresses and kindness, there is always a fibre of memory that can be touched by gentle issues.”

Lately, we have been hearing about cases of adults abusing children. In the paper last week we read about a father who beheaded his children, and a man who suffocated his girlfriend’s 10-month-old baby girl.

These innocent children didn’t survive the abuse, and those that do are unfairly denied the innocent and loving childhood everyone deserves.

The Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Service Data Book reported that 67,637 children were confirmed as victims of child abuse or neglect in Texas in 2006. Of those children, 46,246 were now in Child Protective Services custody.

Child abuse is one of those sordid uncomfortable matters that no one wants to talk about.

As a board member of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), I’ve had to sit through trainings that deal with abuse. The things presented to our board are so abhorring and unbelievable they make you physically ill.

Every minute of every day some child is beaten, scalded with boiling water, raped, spit at or locked in a closet.

Small children are being left to tend for themselves; they are photographed in the nude and sexually abused to provide gratification for pedophiles on the Internet.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, nearly 84 percent of victims were abused by a parent acting alone or with another person.

Approximately, 40 percent of child victims were maltreated by their mothers acting alone; another 18.3 percent were maltreated by their fathers acting alone and 17.3 were abused by both parents.

Of the children that were sexually abused, 28.7 percent were abused by a relative other than a parent.

Children abused by a nonparental perpetrator accounted for 10.7 percent; the nonparental perpetrators were defined as caregivers, including foster parents, child daycare staff and an unmarried partner of parent, legal guardian or residential facility worker.

Further numbers show 47.3 percent of children abused were boys and 50.7 percent girls. The youngest children had the highest rate of victimization.

CASA is a nationwide not-for-profit organization whose volunteers advocate for the best interest of abused and neglected children in foster care.

Its advocates are volunteers who are trained and step in on behalf of children. The advocate researches information regarding the child, and talks to everyone involved in the child’s case. Advocates meet with social workers, attorneys, judges, parents, teachers and family members and the children themselves.

The advocate’s main concern is the child and makes a recommendation to the court as to what they feel is the best for the child.

Advocates are everyday citizens who can make a direct impact on children’s lives. They serve as a loving voice for children who have been abandoned or hurt by those who should be taking care of them.

In fiscal year 2006-2007, CASA of Hidalgo advocated for 733 children in the courts.

CASA of Hidalgo will be holding its annual Mardi Gras Ball on February 2, at the Cimarron Country Club. The funds raised will help CASA’s goal to build a much needed shelter for abused Valley children.

Every child should be blessed with a happy childhood, but unfortunately this is not the case. If you are interested in helping the abused and neglected children of Hidalgo consider becoming an advocate.

For information about how to make a donation, Gala tickets or becoming an advocate, please contact CASA of Hidalgo County at (956) 381-HOLD.

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Maria Luisa Salcines is a freelance writer, certified parent educator and corporate empowerment consultant with The International Network for Children and Families in Redirecting Children’s Behavior, Redirecting for a Cooperative Classroom, and Redirecting Corporate America. Contact her at her Web site at www.redirectingchildrenrgv.org.