In Tribute to Child Abuse Prevention Month

National Child Abuse Prevention Month: Highlighting Organizations Championing the work!

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and I have been doing a lot of writing about this topic, however not quite ready to publish. In part because this topic is a core declaration in my writing. What is a month of awareness for many, is for me, more of a purpose. My why.

I believe, fundamentally, that the best way to prevent child abuse is to start with the elephants in the room---- the two S’s---STIGMA and SILENCE. More writing to come on that, I promise! While I leave you with those two impactful words, I want to SHOUTOUT (see what I did there) to an organization near and dear to me.

The Center for Hope and Baltimore Child Abuse Center (BCAC). A beautiful, hope-filled, and expanded approach to child abuse prevention to end trauma and abuse across the life span. Read their mission, in their words, here: https://www.lifebridgehealth.org/CenterforHope/CenterforHopeProgramsandServices.aspx

I first became involved with the Baltimore Child Abuse Center (BCAC) when moving to Maryland in 2010. I had worked at another Child Advocacy Center (CAC) in Portland, Oregon, CARES Northwest, before moving east.

I sought out BCAC, knowing they were a leading child advocacy center here in the region, and I wanted to continue my work in the field professionally, so it was top on my list of networking. At first, I met with Dr. Kerry Hannan, and although there were no current jobs available, a professional friendship began. However, where I did land professionally put me in contact with Dr. Wendy Lane and another professional friend. Shortly after that, I became a board member and had sense lifted the awareness and championed Adam Rosenberg and his team as often as possible, spreading awareness and knocking down the stigma.  

You see, this is also personal to me. Had there been a BCAC or a Center for Hope program in Minnesota (#hometown) in 1980 when I found the courage to tell my mom what was happening to me every day, after nap-time, at daycare.

Had my parents had a place like that to take me and to get resources about the impacts of childhood sexual abuse. I wonder what that might have looked like through the different ages and stages of my development.

Had my parents had a place like that, maybe they would have known how to best approach parenting to someone who has experienced this kind of sexual trauma.

What to look for, and how to respond. Insight into the internal battle common for survivors of sexual trauma. Indicators of the impact that would have on one self-image, self-worth, and my fundamental belief systems.

I wonder, had there been a place like this for our family if my parents would have had a place to go to grieve the trauma their first-born child has experienced.

 To understand that they were protective parents.

 That it was not their fault.

That the guilt and the shame they are telling themselves is not the truth. And that that same shame and guilt only divides us more. Projecting deeper and deeper into my internal belief system.

 That the impact of the trauma would ebb and flow. And that there were resources anytime you needed it, even if it was years later.

 If we had a child advocacy center (like there are now in nearly every state), there would have been a place for me to speak about the abuse with a forensic interviewer (clinician trained to talk with kids specifically about abuse and trauma) that will aid the investigations and stand up in court—providing a therapeutic space for the child (or individual) to tell the story, in their words.

 There is a multi-disciplinary team working in a coordinated approach with the interviewer to ensure the various questions needed for the case were covered, using a therapeutic approach. Thus-- alleviating the child (survivor) from talking to and being asked questions over and over and over again by these multi-disciplinary professionals. Re-traumatizing every and every time.  

 I recall, vividly, sitting in a lawyer’s office with my parents, and I remember him advising my parents not to proceed because it would be too difficult for me. That there were no protections and safeguards in place that would prevent badgering and any other tactics being used by the defense attorney with no regard for the fact that I was a child. Furthermore, using the fact that I am a child undervaluing my words.

 Side note: Children do not make things like this up. If they lie, it is typically to deny and further bury what is already seen as unthinkable and unspeakable. So #themoreyouknow

 If you are local here in Maryland, please check out the extraordinary work being done to protect children, respond to abuse and violence, and prevent future violence and trauma from occurring, all the while supporting the healing path of people across the lifespan, instilling Hope into communities whether you are a caregiver, a survivor of homicide or other violence. Whether you are a mandatory reporter or you suspect abuse of someone you know. Check out the work. https://www.bcaci.org/

 To learn more about programs like this in your home town go here to learn more about the work being done in your state  https://www.nationalchildrensalliance.org/cac-coverage-maps/

 If you like what you read, do me a favor and share my posts or my social media handles with three of your friends!

 Stronger together, let us break down stigma. End the silence, and be a part of the future prevention of child abuse.

 C