It’s still April and this month is recognized as “Child Abuse Prevention Month”

On April 03, 2017, Norfolk’s Mayor Kenneth Alexander joined child advocates and Department of Human Services staff for the ceremonial planting of 100 blue and silver pinwheels in front of Norfolk City Hall. photo: City of Norfolk

(BMLTV) NORFOLK VA, April 24, 2017 - As good citizens in our communities locally, nationally and globally, we should always keep a watchful eye out for child neglect and abuse at every turn in our lives.

Child maltreatment fatalities and near fatalities have consistently drawn the attention of state lawmakers.

Nationally, in 2014, there were approximately 1,546 child abuse and neglect fatalities, according to the Child Maltreatment 2014 Report, released by the Children’s Bureau.

 A recent federal commission, charged with examining child abuse and neglect deaths, estimates that the actual number could be much higher and that approximately four to eight children die from abuse and neglect each day. The issue is continually at the forefront of decision-makers’ minds in all branches of government.

While these numbers are staggering, they are often considered undercounts due to reporting differences across states, as well as varying definitions of child abuse and neglect fatality and differences in the way states collect information.

With a few more days remaining in the month of April we still need  to continue being active with our support, and continue acknowledging, sharing the fact that the Month of April is recognized as “Child Abuse Prevention Month”.


On April 03, 2017, child advocates and Department of Human Services staff  Joined Norfolk’s  Mayor  for the ceremonial planting of 100 blue and silver pinwheels in front of Norfolk City Hall. photo: City of Norfolk
 
Hampton Roads has fallen to some worrisome numbers in relations to the amount of Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities which have taken place between July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016, according to the Eastern Region Child Fatality Review Team.

• There were 12 child deaths in Hampton Roads (the Virginia Department of Social Services Eastern Region) found to be caused by the abuse or neglect of a caretaker in FY 2016.

• Approximately 26% (12) of the child fatalities in Virginia (46) during FY16 due to abuse or neglect took place in the Eastern Region. (According to the U.S. Census taken in 2010, 23% of the state's children live in this region.)

• The overall number of fatalities due to abuse or neglect in the region have remained high in recent years. 10 deaths occurred in FY 2011; 16 in FY 2012; 16 in FY 2013; 17 FY 2014, 13 in FY 2015, and 12 in FY16.

• Seven (58%) of the 12 children who died were infants who had not reached their first birthday; one additional victim was age three or under. Two-thirds of the children who died were under the age of three.

• Four out of 12 (33%) of the children or families (where information was available) had previous or current contact with social services. In two of the families, there was an active social services case.

• A significant number of children are dying in the care of their parents – approximately 75% of the children who died were in the care of their biological (or step) mother, father or both. Two children died under the care of a friend of their mother, one was being cared for by an unidentified caretaker and one died in an unlicensed child care.

• One of the founded and three of the unfounded deaths were as a result of drowning. One of the founded and one of the unfounded deaths was as a result of a gunshot.

• Forty-one of the cases investigated were unfounded, out of a total of 53 cases the Eastern Region DSS agencies investigated in FY16. In FY 16, statewide there were 129 total cases investigated. Forty-one percent of the state’s investigations were in the Eastern Region which is only one of five state social service regions. (Last year approximately 35% of the state’s fatality investigations occurred in the Eastern Region.)

• Twenty-nine of the unfounded deaths were associated with unsafe sleeping environments such as co-sleeping, soft bedding, being laid to sleep on their stomach, and/or sleeping in an adult bed, couch, car seat or other surface not intended for infant sleeping. Seventeen infants died while co-sleeping; fifteen were co-sleeping with an adult and two others were co-sleeping with their twin.

• In FY15, 21; FY 14, 15; in FY 13, 18; and in FY 12, 25 of the unfounded Eastern Region fatalities occurred in unsafe sleep environments. Three of the founded cases were related to unsafe sleep. In the Eastern Region, 14 of the 32 sleep related fatalities occurred in families with current or previous social service involvement. Statewide, 57 of the fatalities were sleep-related; 46 of the state fatalities were unfounded and 11 were founded.

• Many child deaths are preventable. There should be ongoing efforts in Virginia and in Hampton Roads focused on reducing the number of child fatalities in the region.

On April 03, 2017, Norfolk’s Mayor Kenneth Alexander joined child advocates and Department of Human Services staff for the ceremonial planting of 100 blue and silver pinwheels in front of Norfolk City Hall early this month. These “Pinwheels for Prevention” serve as a reminder and symbol of the City’s commitment to keeping children safe from abuse and neglect.

by admin