Hilary Harrison
The time has come for us to end child abuse and neglect. It’s time for each of us to take a stand and to make sure that Oregon is a safe place for all of our children to live and grow up.
Every April we take a break from our busy lives, we wear blue ribbons, maybe attend an activity and say that these children are in our hearts. But with 10,088 confirmed Oregon child abuse/neglect victims in 2014 – 61 percent under the age of 7 – we are not doing enough.
Children who are abused and do not get help to heal are more likely to grow up to be abusers, have mental health problems, drop out of school, end up homeless, have children before they’re ready, turn to crime, and strain our already fragile social safety net. This spiral not only threatens the future of the child, but that of our state.
We have the opportunity to change that by getting involved.
Too many children in the overburdened foster care system are slipping through the cracks and are in danger of becoming a statistic on the wrong side of ledger. One way you can help is to become involved with CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates®). One person really can make a difference by speaking up for a child in foster care.
Each of us has an obligation and an opportunity to break the cycle of child abuse and neglect. If you see abuse, report it to 1-855-503-SAFE (7233). If a child’s life is in danger, call 911. If you want to make a lifelong difference, become a CASA volunteer. Call CASA of Linn County at (541)-926-2651.
We challenge you to stand with us and demand an end to child abuse and neglect. If we all come together, maybe we won’t need a Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Hilary Harrison is Executive Director of CASA of Linn County, which recruits, trains and supports volunteers appointed by the courts to advocate for abused and neglected children in Linn County.