director, Prevent Child Abuse Utah
During Child Abuse Awareness Month, there is no better time to recognize and applaud the work done by Grand County Prevent Child Abuse. They work hard year-round to provide much-needed child abuse information and education to rural areas of Utah.
Prevent Child Abuse Utah (PCAU) and Prevent Child Abuse America recognize that there are cases of child abuse where victims don't receive the support and treatment they need, and may go on to repeat the cycle of abuse by becoming perpetrators themselves. However, because of the increased levels of prevention and intervention methods, many victims gain the strength to overcome the devastating abuse that occurred in their lives, and they go on to become survivors and advocates.
Talking about child abuse prevention shouldn't be about pointing fingers, raising suspicions or blaming anyone. It is about understanding what causes someone to lose control, and providing support before they get into that situation.
This is accomplished by increasing awareness that while child abuse is a horrible truth, it can be prevented. But what does "prevention" really mean? It means stopping child abuse and neglect before it ever occurs. While critical to our children, we must do more than just respond to abuse and neglect through prosecution and intervention. We must initiate and support services and policies that focus on early child development, and allow communities to create conditions best suited to them that allow parents to be the kinds of parents they want to be. Programs such as voluntary home visiting, parent education, mental health services and substance abuse treatment must be in place for all families regardless of wealth, to provide safe and healthy environments in which children can grow.
It is time for a new and meaningful conversation on the prevention of child abuse and neglect, and the bottom line is that this starts with parents and children and providing them with the knowledge and resources they need - this is the conversation we need to have.
For more than 25 years, PCAU has been invited into schools and community centers throughout Utah as the lead authority on child abuse prevention. PCAU, a private, non-profit organization, educated more than 74,000 children and community members in 2007.
Our school-based programs are offered to all Utah schools and are available for kindergarten classes, through college. All programs are free, age-appropriate, approved by the Utah State Office of Education and highlight the fact that child abuse is never the child's fault. Students are taught the three "R" safety rules: Recognize dangerous situations, Resist by strongly saying "No!" And Report anything that makes you feel uncomfortable, scared or confused.
PCAU is also available to provide parent and community information, with home visiting programs and effective parenting education.
For more information about child abuse in Utah, reporting laws, parenting questions or prevention programs, visit us online at www.preventchildabuseutah.org.