It is a sad commentary indeed that we need a Child Abuse Month. Unfortunately we do and as a result, the Ontario’s Children’s Aid Societies launched the Child Abuse Prevention Campaign to remind us that we are all responsible for the safety of children, whether or not we have any children of our own. All children need to be protected from predators and we must remain diligent in noticing the signs of child abuse and reporting suspected child abuse. We cannot remain silent and we must get involved.

Last year in Ontario over 27,000 children aged 16 and under received protective services and that is just not acceptable in a civilized society. There were almost 152,000 calls of suspected child abuse. More than 77,000 allegations of child abuse and neglect were investigated by child protection workers. The days of Leave it to Beaver are long gone. The June and Ward Cleavers of yesteryear have been replaced by single parent families and blended families.

Child abuse doesn’t always leave visible bruises. Although physical abuse is the easiest to recognize the signs of sexual abuse, bullying, emotional abuse, and neglect may leave greater and more dire ramifications. Victims of child abuse may exhibit a myriad of symptoms – depression, low self-esteem, eating disorders, poor school performance, aggressive behavior, post traumatic stress syndrome, issues with trust and bonding, delinquency, drug and alcohol use, teen pregnancy, and suicide. Look for clues – bruises, the child is shy and withdrawn, dirty, not properly dressed, child appears hungry – and if you are suspicious, please err on the side of caution and make the call. You don’t have to be sure and you don’t have to identify yourself. Children don’t have a voice, but you do.