Help raise awareness towards child abuse

This past week everyone has been changing their profile's to cartoons on facebook to help raise awareness towards child abuse. Having worked in a battered women's shelter in Laguna Beach for many years in high school, I had the opportunity of seeing abused children first hand. It is not an easy thing to have to see and I feel it is so important to spread awareness of ways to help prevent it. Although I like the cartoon idea, I personally feel that spreading these facts can help spread awareness and really help children directly.

Here are my top ten ways to really stand-up and help fight the issue:

1. If you are a teacher and notice there is a decline in a child’s performance in school. Abuse may affect all aspects of a child’s life,including their grades.
2. If you notice a child's lack for hygiene. Neglected or abused may appear dirty or uncared for or have unsuitable clothing for the weather conditions.
3. If you notice a child is begging for money from their friends
4. If you see a huge drop in a child's attendance at school. Many children being abused will miss many days of school because of injuries
5. Unexplained weight loss or signs that a child is not interested in eating
6. If a child is a little too experienced with sexual information. (using explicit sexual language)
7. If you see a child is having a fear of going home or to their caregiver
8. Abuse can change children's behavior. They can sometimes start to feel withdrawn, isolated or begin top act-up
9. Unexplainable injuries.
10. Act on your suspicions. If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, trust your instincts. Suspected abuse is enough of a reason to make a report to the authorities. You do not need proof.

If you suspect a child is being abuse call 1-800-4-A-CHILD