CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH: The Importance of Protecting Children

When you were growing up, was there someone special that you admired, respected, trusted?  Or was there a special action hero like Spider-man, Batman, or Captain America that you looked up to?  A hero is defined as a person or character who, in the face of danger and adversity or from a position of weakness, displays courage or self-sacrifice – that is, heroism – for the GREATER GOOD.

April has been selected as the month where awareness is raised about the importance of preventing child abuse – PROTECTING CHILDREN.  The first federal legislation came in 1974 with the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA).  The first National Child Abuse Prevention Month was honored in 1983.  The first Blue Ribbon Awareness campaign began in Virginia in 1989 by a grandmother, who was grieving the death of her grandson. He succumbed to death due to injuries sustained from physical abuse. She attached a blue ribbon to her car antenna as a memorial reminder of the bruises from beatings he needlessly suffered and eventually died from. The CAPTA was reauthorized in 2010.

Needless tragic circumstances, CHILD ABUSE and NEGLECT, are preventable.  Our children need more than just to have awareness raised. They need change – they need YOU!!  YOU can be their HERO.  Decide and commit to change yourself -- work to grow patience, have kindness, balance, and compassion. Learn to listen and encourage positive growth in your personal and professional relationships.  Develop an environment, both at home and in the workplace, that welcomes others because of the warm and caring atmosphere. Be willing to sacrifice when times get tough. Be there for them no matter what time of day, what the weather is, or how you feel at the moment.

Do you see a child who needs protection?  Can you be that protector?  If so, then be a Hero, for some GREATER GOOD!!

Col. Mike Henderson, center, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall commander, during the Pinwheel for Prevention parade April 1. The parade marks the first day of Month of the Military Child and Child Abuse Prevention Month.