Blue Ribbon Vigil of Hope:
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month
Blue Ribbon tree at the Ohio Orthodox Catholic Church
On April 10, 2011, the second annual Blue Ribbon Vigil of Hope will held at the Spring Grove Cemetery at 5:00 PM. Please come and join us as we try to spread the word that Child Abuse is unacceptable for any reason!
On April 18th, 2010, the first Blue Ribbon Vigil of Hope was held in Cincinnati, OH. The group gathered at the Spring Grove Cemetery where they lit candles, prayed together, and shared information together in support of survivors and their families to acknowledge the reality of abuse.
The different groups participating set up tables to provide information and talk with attendees. Blue ribbons were available for people to take home and also to place on the “blue ribbon tree”. Speakers of the different groups gave information to those present. People had a chance to share and learn about many of the different organizations that are involved in Child Abuse prevention and care. It also became a time of healing for some people.
Child Abuse Prevention
So often we think that Child Abuse is only that which is in the news -- sexual abuse. But that is not the truth! Child Abuse has several different components. Here is what the Federal Government defines as the different types of Child Abuse:
- Physical abuse -- non accidental physical injury of a person. This can include Bullying.
- Neglect --failure to provide for the basic needs of a person. This includes Physical, Medical, Educational and Emotional needs.
- Sexual Abuse -- This includes not only physical sexual abuse but also the availability of porn material around the child.
- Emotional (psychological) Abuse -- A pattern of behavior that impairs a person's emotional development of sense of self-worth. This also includes Bullying!
- Abandonment -- The child is left alone in circumstance where serious harm may occur or the parent fails to maintain contact with the child or provide reasonable support for a specified period of time.
- Substance Abuse -- This includes not only the child using a harmful substance but also having the child within the area that drugs/alcohol are used. It can also include the fact of a care giver's ability to care for the child is impaired due to drugs/alcohol.
Some Resources to help learn about and prevent Child Abuse:
Child Welfare Information Gateway -- Federal Government's Website
Darkness to Light -- Ending Child Sexual Abuse Organization