by Kenneth F. Joe, Sr.
The problem of child abuse (both physical and sexual) is a homegrown terrorist threat right under our noses. But we are not powerless to fight against this pernicious threat. It's a complex topic, but here is a summation of things average people can do to make children's lives better.
- Parents need to be watchful of all children as if they were their own.
- Parents should know the parents and other family members of their children's friends before allowing them to play unsupervised or spend a night at the friend's house.
- All parents should be involved in the PTA at school.
- We must demand that Child Welfare programs be fully funded so that case loads are manageable.
- Our Child Welfare system should be preventive rather than reactive. We shouldn't be working with a foster care system that doesn't graduate children and bounces them around to strangers instead of family members.
- Churches need to require background checks for all personnel.
- There should be a strict curfew for all children.
- We must demand that all Child Welfare professionals be competent - especially the leaders!
- We have to make sure that those engaged in social work have their heart in the right plae. Just having the right degrees is never enough. These are jobs that require passion and commitment. There is no room for complacency.
- Realize that, regardless of how much money we might spend, ultimately it is not up to the government to fix this problem. Communities must live up to their own responsibilities right in their own neighborhoods, schools, churches and homes. Sexual and physical abusers are no match for dogged vigilance. They can and must be stopped!
This list is taken from Joe's book, From Abused to Protector: Claiming Your Life After Your Church Sexually Abuses You; A Story of Hope, Forgiveness and Triumph.