Neglect, Abuse, and Violence Toward Children Rises in Harris County
HOUSTON, TX (March 28, 2019) – Thousands of Harris County children are suffering from a hidden epidemic, that destroys minds, changes well-being and alters the physical appearance. This haunting epidemic is child abuse. April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and DePelchin Children’s Center believes every child deserves to be safe and healthy.
Children in our communities are harmed, injured and victimized at troubling rates. In 2017, there were 6,551 confirmed victims of child abuse in Harris County. Sadly, this number continues to grow every year. In 2018, Harris County reported 6,961 confirmed victims. That is nearly 7,000 children aged 0 to 17 suffering from neglect, abuse, and violence.
Child abuse crosses all socioeconomic and educational levels, religions, ethnic and cultural groups. Children living through abuse, violence and other traumatic events unnecessarily suffer the effects for the rest of their lives.
“April is a time to observe the important role communities play in protecting children and strengthening families,” said Jenifer Jarriel, president and CEO at DePelchin Children’s Center. “Everyone’s participation is critical. Focusing on ways to connect with families is one of many things our community can do to strengthen families and prevent child abuse and neglect.”
Abused children are in jeopardy of a number of concerning issues that include participating in risky behaviors; experiencing chronic health conditions —including mental health conditions; having low life potential or even early death. The Administration for Children & Families, a division of U.S. Department of Health & Human Services reports an estimated five children die every day from child abuse and 72% percent of all child fatalities were younger than 3 years old.
Positive parenting and protecting our children from harm helps prevent the harmful effects. Children who are nurtured and supported throughout childhood are more likely to thrive and develop as happy and healthy children who are able to reach their full potential.
Research shows that protective factors are present in healthy families. Promoting these factors is among the most effective ways to reduce the risk of child abuse and neglect. The factors are nurturing and attachment; knowledge of parenting and of child and youth development; parental resilience; social connections; concrete supports for parents; and social and emotional competence of children.
When parents and families have the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to care for their children, this helps prevent child abuse and neglect and creates strong and thriving children, youth, and families in our communities.
For more information about DePelchin Children’s Center or child abuse prevention, visit www.depelchin.org or contact us at info@depelchin.org.
Founded in 1892, DePelchin Children’s Center is one of the largest and longest serving, accredited non-profit, foster care and adoption agencies in Texas. With locations throughout Greater Houston, Austin, San Antonio and Lubbock, we serve the most vulnerable children and families in Texas and work to break the cycles of abuse and neglect. Our approach to caring for children integrates prevention, foster care, adoption and post-adoption programs to improve the mental health and physical well-being of children who are at risk of entering or are in the State’s child welfare system.