My blog dress and header has changed! As a newlywed, I am excited to present a whole new theme.

Monday, April 13, 2009

Blue Monday/ The significance of blue pinwheels

This is the sight that greeted those who passed by our local county courthouse this week.

When I saw the blue pinwheels last year, gently spinning in the wind, the sun glistening off of them making them shine, I thought, "How pretty!" There was no sign indicating their purpose, but this year, I found out what they were all about. (This picture was obtained from the website of the local newspaper and is not my own.)

In a county of only about 30,000 people, it's shameful that 532 children had been abused during 2008. Actually, this number is down from 2007 when there were 700 reported children abused. It makes me wonder how many fell throught the system though and their abuse was not discovered.

Because of my professional credentials and my degree in human services, I am a mandated reporter. This means that if I even so much as suspect child abuse, I must call the county Department of Job and Family Services and report my suspicions.

I'll never forget the first report that I had to make. My son came home from school very angry because he heard that his 15 year old best friend had been in an argument with his father, and that his father had punched him three times, twice in the stomach and once in the face. I was so sad for this dear boy who was often a guest in my home, and I was beyond furious at the father. The next morning as soon as JFS opened up, I called and asked to speak to someone in Child Protective Services. My hands were shaking and I was crying as I did this, but I had to get involved, not just because I was required to do so, but also because this was the right thing to do!

A child protective services worker went to the boy's high school to speak with him. They asked him if he wanted his father out of the home or not, and he said he didn't want to make him leave, and since he was a teen, he was allowed to make the decision to stay under the same roof. His father was arrested and charged with domestic violence, and bailed out of jail. He was also required to attend 12 weeks of anger management. Though my son and his friends were very angry at me for reporting the incident as they felt I should have "let that be their business," I never once regreted reporting it. To the best of my knowledge, he never again laid a hand on this boy or his other children.

I have also had to make reports through my job. When a young mother reported that she had once punched her child, I had to report it. When a teen boy said that he had sex with a woman almost three times his age, I had to report it. It's so much easier to report after that first time.

So should you get involved if you see something suspicious? Absolutely! Even if it's just a suspicion of abuse or neglect, it needs to be reported. All that will result is that an investigation will be made. If the child is not being abused and is being appropriately cared for, the case is closed. If nothing else, it leaves a paper trail in case they are reported again. If they discover that there is indeed abuse going on, then charges will be made.

In my profession, I have heard of the most horrible stories of abuse. I heard stories of emotional abuse, physical abuse, and sexual abuse. What if you had the power to stop this abuse, even if you didn't know for sure that it was going on?

Here are the steps you can take: If there is immediate danger, such as you actually witness something physical going on, or for example, you see a toddler out in the dead of winter in just his diaper, then call 9-1-1 immediately! Otherwise, you can call your county Department of Job and Family Services and ask to speak to someone in the child protective services. Some people are afraid that they will have to give their name. No, you don't have to. You can make an anonymous report. I have always given my name, especially when it was part of my job, but its not required that you do so.

Keep in mind that if there has been a confidentiality agreement, such as I had with my clients, that confidentiality is allowed to be broken in the case of abuse or suspected abuse.

Though it's sad to have to even discuss this topic, keep in mind that by getting involved, you could help abuse to end in the life of a helpless child, and you might even save their life.

Be the instrument of help in their life!

Ooops, I almost forgot to direct you to Sally's blog, Smiling Sally for more Blue Monday posts!

13 comments:

claudie said...

Hi WOW you have changed. I love it Katie.
I hear you on this issue. I cannot imagine in such a small town the abuse that goes on. You are doing what you can to help mold our society to become better. It's a tough job I'm sure of that, and thank God there are folks like yourself that can someday put an end to this violence. Bless your kind heart and give a voice to the children.
I will look at blue pinwheels with a different eye now.
Happy Blue Monday Katie
Love Claudie
ox

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Hi Katie,
You're doing a good job! Thank you for coming to the aid of the innocent! Have a Happy Blue Monday!

Blessings,
Sandi

Justine said...

I think it was very brave of you to step in and do something when it was your son's best friend. I'm sure that made for a VERY awkward situation, but you did the right thing. Did their friendship survive it?

Justine :o )

SmilingSally said...

This is an important piece of information, Kady, and I thank you for it. Happy Blue Monday.

Anonymous said...

this indeed is a blue and ugly subject.
i live in Dallas and abuse is rampant here.you can't stand to listen to the news.so many,so sad...ann

Barb said...

Kady, I saw some of these yesterday. Thank you for this!

Happy Blue Monday

Barb

nikkicrumpet said...

I appreciate this post...and you're right we all do need to get involved. Otherwise the abuse just continues. I had a neighbor how was leaving her very small childen (two and four) home alone while she ran errands...sometimes for several hours at a time. One of the neighbors called protective services because she got tired of having to step in and keep an eye on the kids. I got a phone call from CPS asking if I had witnessed this neglect myself. I told them yes I had on several occasions. Later on after the investigation my neighbor came over and had it out with me...told me what a horrible friend I was and how could I ever tell on her. She was sure it was me who had made the initial phone call. Funny thing was she still to this day thinks she wasn't doing anything wrong. But luckily they scared her bad enough that she stopped doing it.

Valerie said...

Wonderful job on today's post tackling a very sensitive and important topic! As a former elementary classroom teacher, I understand what you mean by the first call is the hardest...I just had to keep telling myself that if I didn't stand up for this child who would...obviously not their parent!

Blessings to you this Easter Monday,
Valerie

annies home said...

great post thanks so much for the information. My grandparents were foster parents for many many years

bj said...

GREAT POST, KADY...I have a pre-scheduled post ready on this same subject...
Thanks so much for all the information.
xo bj

Sweetie said...

Thanks for the great post. Years ago I worked for the county child welfare agency. I could not believe the abuse that went on in our small area. You really brought a sensitive issue to the forefront. Happy Blue Monday!
Sweetie

Tara said...

Kady

What a great idea of the blue pinwheels bringing this situation to the forefront!

jeanne said...

Kady, your post today was wonderful. The info is so important to the lives of abused children. Thank you for an eye opening post.

Hugs...Jeanne