All of us have a role in preventing child abuse/for padme

All of us have a role in preventing child abuse/for padme
All of us have a role in preventing child abuse After reading Monday's editorial, "Shameful numbers, immeasurable loss," I feel compelled to write to dispel the belief that state government alone can reduce the number of child abuse fatalities in Indiana each year. The numbers are disheartening -- 57 child deaths in 2005. That's the same number that gave Indiana the dismal distinction of having the worst child-abuse death rate in the nation in 2004. The 2005 report shows that one-third of the deaths occurred in families where child protection workers had substantiated abuse or neglect. But who is left to save the other two-thirds of the children --those who were being abused but never came to the attention of a social worker? How can the state help children it doesn't know are suffering? Child abuse is a community problem. We can all play a part in small but meaningful ways. We must reach out to parents, young parents in particular. We can help stressed parents by offering to baby sit, take a meal to the home, check in and offer our support. We must communicate that it is OK to ask for help. Parenting is tough and all parents need help from time to time. The Daniels administration should be commended for hiring more caseworkers to help struggling families. And my hope is that the administration will continue to do much mor, because there should be no greater priority in the legislature than to help prevent the abuse of children. We all must learn to recognize the signs of abuse and neglect and report it when it is observed. Reports can even be filed anonymously by calling 1 (800) 800-5556. Tragically, far too many times when a child dies from abuse, research shows that somebody in the community -- a neighbor, a family member or friend -- knew the child was suffering but failed to get involved. To learn more about child abuse or join an all-volunteer group of people committed to preventing child abuse, visit www.championsforchildren-indiana.org. Only together can we hope to make a difference http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060520/OPINION01/605200302/1002/OPINION

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