EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- April is National Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month. The month is set aside for the nation to put extra focus on protecting children.
“Children are experiencing abuse, maltreatment and neglect at alarming rates,” said Dr. Wendy Blevins, Eglin’s Violence Prevention Integrator. “The Center for Disease Control says one in seven children experienced child abuse and neglect in the last year. One child being mistreated is one too many."
Child abuse comes in the form of physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect. Risk factors include: not understanding children's needs or development; high stress situations; poor communication styles; and limited opportunities for growth and development.
”It is our job to stay alert, be aware, and increase protective factors in our community,” Blevins said. “Knowledge is a protective factor. I encourage our Eglin community to be mentors, listen and learn strategies for being supportive adults.”
The following events are scheduled for April. All eligible patrons can attend.
- Love and Logic series - CDC III, April 4, 11, 18, and 25, 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. each day. This series provides techniques to help parents and teachers have less stress and more fun while raising responsible kids. For more information, call 882-5519.
- Active Parenting of Teens series - Youth Center, April 6, 13, 20, 27, 8 to 10 a.m. each day. This series offers training and support for families experiencing the dynamic changes of teenage development. For more information, call 883-8616.
- Child Maltreatment - CDC II, April 13, 9 to 10 a.m. Identifying signs of child maltreatment and recognizing resources for support. For more information, call 883-8616.
- Couples Night Out - Military and Family Readiness Center, April 14, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. This event provides eligible couples, married or dating, with relevant tools and tips to build the relationship they love, on a bi-monthly basis. Ask about free childcare eligibility. To register, call 882-9060.