Just Some Thoughts

Sorry I haven't posted as much as I would have liked to this month. My daughter and I were both incredibly sick with whatever is going around for about a week and I'm finally starting feel normal again.

I was sitting here at my desk thinking about what I need to be doing this coming week and realized that one week from today, I will be competing in the preliminary round of the Mrs. Colorado Pageant. WOW!!!! Where have the past six months gone?!? It's hard to believe the pageant is already here. I'm so excited and looking forward to all the wonderful people I'll be meeting next week.
I'll also be hosting next Tuesday, March 1st from 6-8 p.m. at the San Luis Valley Brewing Company, so stop by and say hello if you are in Alamosa.

Now on to some more important information...
I was driving home last night from a meeting and a Martina McBride song came on the radio that made me realize that while I've been addressing dating and domestic violence from an adult perspective and aiming what I've been doing at how it affects "adults", I have forgotten to discuss another very important issue within domestic violence and that is child abuse. Often times, domestic violence trickles down to affect the children within a relationship and that often results in the abuse of the child or children.
Below are some alarming statistics on child abuse I took from National Child Abuse Statistics (www.childhelp.org):

• In 2007, 5.8 million children were involved in 3.2 million child abuse reports and allegations (nationally).
• A report of child abuse is made every 10 seconds.
• Almost 5 children die every day as a result of child abuse (this number has increased by nearly 2 children per day since 1995).
• 90% of child sexual abuse victims know the perpetrator and 68% are abused by family members.
• 31% of women in U.S. prisons report being abused as children.
• 14% of men in U.S. prisons report being abused as children.
• Children who experience child abuse are 59% more likely to be arrested as a juvenile, 28% more likely to arrested as an adult, and 30% more likely to commit a violent crime.
• Over 60% of people in drug rehab centers report being abused as a child.
• About 30% of abused children will abuse their own children.
• Abused children are 25% more likely to experience teen pregnancy.
• Abused teens are 3 times less likely to practice safe sex.
• Children who are sexually abused are 2.5 times more likely abuse alcohol and 3.8 times more likely to develop drug addictions.
• Neglect is the most common form of child abuse (59% of cases) followed by: Variety of other abuse (17.4%), physical abuse (10.8%), sexual abuse (7.6%), psychological maltreatment (4.2%), and medical neglect (0.9%).

Things kids should know about child abuse and neglect:

• No one has the right to abuse you.
• You don't deserve to be abused.
• If you are being abused, you are a victim.
• It's not your fault.
• It is wrong for you to go through this and made to feel the way you do.
• You are not alone.
• Sometimes abusers scare or threaten you so you won't tell.
• There are people who care about you and want to help you.
• Tell someone you trust (i.e.: parent, teacher, pastor, counselor, neighbor, school nurse, family friend, friend's parent, etc.)
• Call 1-800-4-A-CHILD to talk to a counselor 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

If you know a child who is being abused or have a friend who is experiencing abuse please visit www.childhelp.org for more information on child abuse and neglect or call 1-800-422-4453. Child abuse is often hidden just like domestic violence and is serious. If you suspect your child or another child is being abused, please seek help.

I leave you with the song that brought this topic to mind for me last night:
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtNYA4pAGjI