Child Abuse Awareness

"Child Protective Services (CPS) investigated more than 160,000 allegations of child abuse or neglect in Texas last year. 156 children died at the hands of their parents or other caregivers, 66,398 were victims of abuse or neglect, and more than 17,000 had to be removed from their homes for their own protection." 

That paragraph was taken directly off the Department of Family and Protective Services website from a post by www.helpandhope.com. You can read the full letter here. If you read it, though, be prepared to have your heart skip a beat. And be prepared to be called to action. Because when you read the number and see that it is not zero, you will need to fight. You will want to fight. You will fight. Because these kids, the precious kids, need a voice. Because unfortunately, more often than we want to know, the very people who should be their voice are the ones who are abusing them. So, they need you. They need you to stand up for them and to speak up for them. 

And be encouraged by these stories of victims who overcame their abuse and broke the cycle. Victims who had a voice. 

April is Child Abuse Awareness month but we should be aware everyday. Abuse is not always physical. It's emotional and sexual, too. It's neglect. Be mindful of these signs that often point to abuse or neglect. 

Pay attention to your kids. If they begin to act differently, don't wait. Here are some tips for how to approach it. Help out a family who is under stress.get to know your kids friends. Know your neighbors. Be there for them.

Because if it were you, you would want someone to be your voice.