Somewhere, this very minute as you read these words, a child is being abused. Stop and just think about that for a second. A child, the most innocent beings in this world, is being abused — beaten, molested, raped, starved, neglected … killed. We all hear about the high profile cases, especially those that end in death, like little Caylee Anthony. But, what about the child that never gets reported; the ones who live with the abuse day in and day out? For some, the abuse lasts a lifetime, whether it be a day, a month, a year or until they are old enough to runaway or go out on their own. And sometimes, even then the abuse does not stop.

Some of you are probably saying to yourselves, yes, but that only happens in other places. Sure, kids are sometimes “mistreated” or “neglected” here in our area, but nothing as bad what you read about in other places. Well, all I have to say to these naysayers is get your heads out of the sand. 

Having spent nine years working for what was then known as Social Services under the Cabinet for Human Resources, I know firsthand that all kinds of child abuse happens here — all of it. I also saw some of the results of it while my sister was a foster parent. One of the children she cared for had sustained over 24 fractures by the age of six months. Believe it or not, this child is one of the lucky ones because he was removed from the unsafe home and is now a happy and healthy child who lives life to the fullest with a loving family. 

Others she fostered came from homes that were so filthy and the children so neglected that roaches were in one’s diapers. One was sexually molested on a daily basis for years by an adult family member. These horror stories are heartbreaking, and my soul aches for abused children — the known and especially the unknown. 

So what can we — you and I — do to help these innocent victims? First, educate ourselves. Know what the signs of abuse are and how and where to report it. 

The following is information on how to recognize child abuse from Child Welfare Information Gateway:

Signs that may signal the presence of child abuse or neglect:

The Child:

• Shows sudden changes in behavior or school performance

• Has not received help for physical or medical problems brought to the parents’ attention

• Has learning problems (or difficulty concentrating) that cannot be attributed to specific physical or psychological causes

• Is always watchful, as though preparing for something bad to happen

• Lacks adult supervision

• Is overly compliant, passive, or withdrawn

• Comes to school or other activities early, stays late, and does not want to go home

The Parent:

• Shows little concern for the child

• Denies the existence of — or blames the child for — the child’s problems in school or at home

• Asks teachers or other caregivers to use harsh physical discipline if the child misbehaves

• Sees the child as entirely bad, worthless, or burdensome

• Demands a level of physical or academic performance the child cannot achieve

• Looks primarily to the child for care, attention, and satisfaction of emotional needs

The Parent and Child:

• Rarely touch or look at each other

• Consider their relationship entirely negative

• State that they do not like each other

The following are some signs often associated with particular types of child abuse and neglect: physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse. It is important to note, however, that these types of abuse are more typically found in combination than alone. A physically abused child, for example, is often emotionally abused as well, and a sexually abused child also may be neglected.

Consider the possibility of physical abuse when the child:

• Has unexplained burns, bites, bruises, broken bones, or black eyes

• Has fading bruises or other marks noticeable after an absence from school

• Seems frightened of the parents and protests or cries when it is time to go home

• Shrinks at the approach of adults

• Reports injury by a parent or another adult caregiver

Consider the possibility of physical abuse when the parent or other adult caregiver:

• Offers conflicting, unconvincing, or no explanation for the child’s injury

• Describes the child as “evil,” or in some other very negative way

• Uses harsh physical discipline with the child

• Has a history of abuse as a child

Consider the possibility of neglect when the child:

• Is frequently absent from school

• Begs or steals food or money

• Lacks needed medical or dental care, immunizations, or glasses

• Is consistently dirty and has severe body odor

• Lacks sufficient clothing for the weather

• Abuses alcohol or other drugs

• States that there is no one at home to provide care

Consider the possibility of neglect when the parent or other adult caregiver:

• Appears to be indifferent to the child

• Seems apathetic or depressed

• Behaves irrationally or in a bizarre manner

• Is abusing alcohol or other drugs

Consider the possibility of sexual abuse when the child:

• Has difficulty walking or sitting

• Suddenly refuses to change for gym or to participate in physical activities

• Reports nightmares or bedwetting

• Experiences a sudden change in appetite

• Demonstrates bizarre, sophisticated, or unusual sexual knowledge or behavior

• Becomes pregnant or contracts a venereal disease, particularly if under age 14

• Runs away

• Reports sexual abuse by a parent or another adult caregiver

Consider the possibility of sexual abuse when the parent or other adult caregiver:

• Is unduly protective of the child or severely limits the child’s contact with other children, especially of the opposite sex

• Is secretive and isolated

• Is jealous or controlling with family members

Consider the possibility of emotional maltreatment when the child:

• Shows extremes in behavior, such as overly compliant or demanding behavior, extreme passivity, or aggression

• Is either inappropriately adult (parenting other children, for example) or inappropriately infantile (frequently rocking or head-banging, for example)

• Is delayed in physical or emotional development

• Has attempted suicide

• Reports a lack of attachment to the parent

Consider the possibility of emotional maltreatment when the parent or other adult caregiver:

• Constantly blames, belittles, or berates the child

• Is unconcerned about the child and refuses to consider offers of help for the child’s problems

• Overtly rejects the child

To report suspected child abuse, call any law enforcement agency, or in Bell County you can call the Cabinet for Health and Family Services Department for Community Based Services Protection and Permanency office (yes, that’s a mouthful it used to just be "Social Services") at 337-6171. Reports can be made anonymously

Please, I beg of you, do not make a false report of child abuse just to get back at your neighbor, ex-spouse, etc. Each and every report has to be investigated, and the time workers spend checking out a false complaint could be put to better use by investigating a real report and helping get a child out of a harmful situation.

April may be National Child Abuse Prevention Month, but remember as I stated before, somewhere as you read these final words, a child is being hurt. Always keep that in mind, and when you pray, ask God to put a shield of protection around that child and all the others who suffer … each year, each month, each week, each day, each minute … each second.

Lifestyles/business editor Donna Greene can be contacted by e-mail at dgreene@middlesborodailynews.com