Wood County recognizes month to focus on child abuse, neglect

April is National Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month, to recognize the importance of families and communities working together to strengthen families to prevent child abuse and neglect. 

A proclamation was presented and approved by Wood County Commissioners on March 23 proclaiming April 2021 as Child Abuse Awareness & Prevention Month in Wood County and urges all citizens to recognize this month by dedicating themselves to the task of improving the quality of life for all children and families.

A report of child abuse is made every 10 seconds. Four children die every day as a result of child abuse. Some 70% of children who die from abuse are under age four.

In 2020, the Texas Department of Family & Protective Services confirmed 75,350 victims of child abuse or neglect, including 139 in Wood County and 1,385 in the seven surrounding counties. Child abuse and neglect is a serious problem affecting every segment of the community, and finding solutions requires input and action from everyone in the community. Prevention remains the best defense for children and families. The community must work together to increase awareness about child abuse and contribute to promote the social and emotional well-being of children and families in safe, stable and nurturing communities. 

Child abuse can have long-term psychological, emotional and physical effects that can have lifelong consequences for victims, and protective factors are conditions that reduce or eliminate those risks. Effective child abuse prevention activities succeed because of the meaningful connections and partnerships created between child welfare, education, health, community and faith-based organizations, businesses and law enforcement agencies to ensure that children have a safe and happy future.

This year’s candlelight vigil will be held virtually Monday, April 12 at 6:30 p.m. on Facebook Live. See the Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center’s page.