The country is honoring April as Child Abuse Prevention Month to educate people about the effects of child abuse and what the community can do to prevent it.

Though there has typically been an event recognizing the month at The Children’s Center in Albert Lea, there will not be one this year.

Dotti Honsey with the Freeborn County Crime Victims Crisis Center, said child abuse is classified as any mistreatment of a child that results in harm or injury.

There are at least four kinds of abuse:

• Physical abuse: Purposely hitting a child or hurting a child by shaking or hitting.

• Sexual abuse: Any kind of sexual contact with a child or exposing children to sexual activity.

• Verbal abuse: Can include repeated threats or insults to scare or embarrass a child or to crush the child’s self-esteem.

• Neglect: Failing to provide a child with their emotional needs such as love ad attention, along with their physical needs such as food, clothing, medical care and supervision.

Honsey said the community should learn to recognize the signs of abuse and make reports to Child Protection with the Department of Human Services when there is suspected abuse. Child Protection can be reached at 377-5400. After 5 p.m., she encouraged people to call law enforcement at 377-5205.

Parents can also look at their own behavior and examine how they are interacting with their children.

Honsey encouraged parents who are feeling too overwhelmed or stressed out to seek help.

“There is help for many of those things,” she said.

 

Advice for new moms and dads

• Get as much rest as possible. Sleep when the baby sleeps.

• Eat nutritious meals. If a neighbor or friend offers to help, ask him or her to bring you dinner or do your grocery shopping.

• Join a parenting group. Parents can learn about caring for their children and meet others with similar interests.

• Don’t expect too much from yourself. Housework won’t always get done, but eventually things will get back into a routine.

• Call the doctor or clinic with any questions or concerns.

— Information from Prevent Child Abuse America

Ways to help prevent child abuse

• Be a nurturing parent. Children need to know they are special, loved and capable of following their dreams.

• Help a friend, neighbor or relative. Being a parent isn’t easy. Offer a helping hand to take care of children so the parent can rest.

• Help yourself. Don’t let the problems of everyday life pile up to the point you feel overwhelmed or out of control. Take time out.

• Learn what to do if your baby won’t stop crying. 

Never shake a baby. Shaking a child can result in severe injury or death.

• Get involved. Ask community leaders, clergy, library and schools to develop services to meet the needs of healthy children and families.

• Monitor your child’s television, video and Internet usage. Watching violent films, TV programs and videos can harm young children.

• Report suspected abuse or neglect.

If there is reason to believe a child has been or may be harmed, contact Child Protection at 377-5400 or the Albert Lea Police Department at 377-5205.