There's never a time for child abuse

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Matt Summers
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  Although April 30 marks the close of Child Abuse Prevention Month and Month of the Military Child, the message people should take away from the observance month is timeless, according to Yokota healthcare officials. 

"Family Advocacy believes that increased knowledge and community involvement can lead to less incidents of child abuse," said Hugh Clark, 374th Medical Operations Squadron Family Advocacy outreach manager. "During April the Yokota Family Advocacy Program advocated for the prevention of child abuse while at the same time gave praise to the outstanding parents at Yokota." 

The month's myriad events culminated in a "youth extravaganza" at the base's teen center April 25. Entertainment, food, games and FitFactor activities. FitFactor is an Air Force program designed to help kids have fun through healthy activities. 

"When parents have support from family, friends, neighbors and their community, they're more likely to provide safe and healthy homes for their children," said Mr. Clark. 

Congress designated June 6-12, 1982, as the first National Child Abuse Prevention Week because of the alarming rate at which children were being abused and neglected and to fill the need for innovative programs to prevent child abuse and assist parents and families affected by maltreatment, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Child Welfare Information Gateway Web site. 

The following year then President Ronald Reagan proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. 

During 2007, an estimated 794,000 children in the United States were victims of abuse or neglect, according to statistics compiled by the Federal government's Administration on Children, Youth and Families.

"The importance of Child Abuse Prevention Month is protecting our most precious commodity, our children," said Mr. Clark. "It's important because children cannot protect themselves and it's up to adults to provide children with healthy environments to develop appropriately." 

The Month of the Military Child, established in 1986, is part of the legacy left by former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger. It's designed as a time to applaud military families and their children for the daily sacrifices they make and challenges they overcome, according to Defense Department officials. 

"Family Advocacy wants to recognize all the positive parenting that's occurring at Yokota," added Mr. Clark.