It’s October and you may see people wearing purple in the next few weeks.
This is to mark October as Child Abuse Prevention month.
Jennifer Bishop, a Resource Worker with the Highland Shores Children’s Aid, says abuse and neglect can happen in two ways – acts of doing something to a child, and acts of NOT doing something FOR a child.
In a recent presentation to Hastings County Council, Bishop said more than 1,300 families are assessed for a concern about their children each year, and about 637 families are provided with ongoing services.
Fewer than 1% of the children served by Highland Shores are placed in out-of-home care each year.
Connie Reid of the Highland Shores Children’s Aid Foundation presents Warden Rick Phillips with a purple tie (Photo: Mary Thomas/Quinte News)
The report that council received indicated, in part, the following message:
– Sometimes parents need help in identifying abusive patterns and learning techniques that can help keep their children safe in their home.
– There are also times that parents request the assistance of CAS – this could be help with parenting or due to social or economic factors beyond their control
– While poverty on its own does not result in child abuse or neglect, research clearly identifies a link between poverty, substance abuse, mental health issues and domestic violence.
Ontario Dress Purple Day is October 24.
