HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – April is Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month. This year’s theme is “All In to End Child Abuse.”
Base officials are highlighting the month-long observance by emphasizing community awareness and highlighting available resources dedicated to preventing child abuse.
“Recognizing that child abuse can happen in any family at any time is critically important to staying aware,” said Dr. Abby Cutter, Hanscom’s community support coordinator.
Cutter said the four common types of abuse include physical, sexual, and emotional, along with neglect.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, neglect is the failure to meet a child’s basic physical and emotional needs, such as food, housing, clothing, education and access to medical care.
“Our intent this year is to focus on skill building and understanding what we as adults can do to aid in prevention, including knowing the signs and when to intervene if you ever believe a child’s safety is in question,” said Cutter.
Vicki Elliot, 66th Medical Squadron Family Advocacy intervention specialist, said that proactive measures are always encouraged when it comes to preventing neglect.
“Reporting concerns of neglect doesn’t always mean that a family is abusive; sometimes they just need some help,” said Elliot. “If there’s a concern, send people our way. There’s no shame in seeking help, but if it doesn’t get addressed, then nothing changes.”
Elliot said she is currently working on developing classes that can assist in abuse prevention, such as anger management and parenting courses, as well as voluntary therapy.
“Military families have unique stressors that can affect caregivers, but we have so many agencies here on base who are able to provide support,” said Cutter. “We want to encourage caregivers to practice self-care to maintain their own physical and mental wellbeing, so they’re able to care for a child.”
For additional information on resources available through the Hanscom Family Advocacy Program, call 781-225-6835.