Advocates for children draw attention to child abuse prevention with rally

Date: 4/21/2009

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



SPRINGFIELD -- For a second year, child educators and advocates gathered in downtown Springfield to note the designation that April is Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Sponsored by the Center for Human Development (CHD), the ceremony drew about 70 people and culminated with the raising of a special flag at City Hall.

Children from area daycare centers sat on the grass of Court Square and held replicas of the flag, which depicts paper-doll-like figures of children holding hands.

Jim Goodwin, the president of CHD, told the audience that when he started his career as a social worker, the first response to a child abuse case was "we have to get [the abused child] out."

"We know today there are different answers, different directions," he said.

Recalling a case in which he was involved, the mother could have prevented the abuse and reversed its effects "with the right supports."

"The first step is bringing the problem into the light," he added.

Several speakers referenced the recent suicide of an 11-year-old Springfield child attributed to the bullying he suffered. Springfield School Superintendent Dr. Alan Ingram said he wants to make the city's public schools "trauma-free." Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno reminded all that violence against children is not always from the hands of adults, but from children themselves in the form of bullying.

"Physical abuse harms, but verbal abuse also hurts," Sarno said.

The CHD recommends the following actions to prevent children abuse:

Seek help by calling the parental stress line at 1-800-632-8188

Become a foster parent through the CHD, the Children's Study Home the Massachusetts Department of Social Services or the Gandara Center

Become a volunteer through the CHD Court Appointed Special Advocate program or by participating in programs conducted by the Massachusetts Society of the Prevention for Cruelty to Children

Report abuse by calling 1-800-792-5200

Support youth development programs in Springfield such as those offered by the Dunbar Community Center, the Girls Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts, the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, the New North Community Center, the South End Community Center, the Springfield Boys and Girls Club, the Springfield Girl's Club Family Center and the YMCA of Greater Springfield.

For more information log onto www.cwla.org.