columbus home assisting parents

April 15, 2021

Child Abuse Awareness Month

April is Child Abuse Awareness Month and we believe no child should ever have to endure neglect. Yet, neglect and other forms of child abuse are overwhelmingly common in our immediate neighborhoods and greater nation. In fact, a report of child abuse is made every 10 seconds in the United States .

While physical abuse can be obvious, not all signs of abuse are as apparent. Ignoring a child’s needs, putting them in unsupervised, dangerous situations, exposing them to sexual situations, or making them feel worthless or unintelligent are also forms of child abuse and neglect – that also leave deep and lasting scars.

A common misunderstanding is that only a certain type of person will abuse their kids and these individuals and their bad parenting will be obvious. But this isn’t true. Neglect can happen in any family. The risk of abusive behavior crosses all racial, economic, and cultural lines. Oftentimes, not all parents or guardians intentionally abuse their children. There are a plethora of factors that increase a person’s risk for abusing a child, which include:
• history of child abuse or neglect during their own childhood
• having a substance use disorder
• physical or mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• poor parent-child relationships
• socioeconomic stress from financial issues, unemployment, or medical problems
• a lack of understanding about basic childhood development (expecting children to be capable of tasks bef- ore they’re ready)
• a lack of parenting skills to help cope with the pressures and struggles of raising a child
• a lack of support from family members, friends, neighbors, or the community
 • caring for a child with intellectual or physical disabilities that make adequate care more challenging
• family stress or crisis caused by domestic violence, relationship turmoil, separation, or divorce
• personal mental health issues, including low self-confidence and feelings of incompetence or shame

The safety and care of children, both born and unborn, are pillars in our mission and Catholic Charities of East Tennessee is committed to reducing the impact of child abuse in our region. Our Columbus Home Assisting Parents (C.H.A.P) program is unique in that families work together with the C.H.A.P. program leaders to create safe, nurturing relationships that lead to secure home environments.

Through the Nurturing Parenting Program and Strengthening Families approach, C.H.A.P. supports families by providing information and educational materials, assisting with parenting skills and childhood development, as well as advocacy and assistance with community resources. C.H.A.P.’s goal is to strengthen and preserve families to ensure the safety and well-being of children.

April is Child Abuse Awareness Month and we believe no child should ever have to endure neglect. Yet, neglect and other forms of child abuse are overwhelmingly common in our immediate neighborhoods and greater nation. In fact, a report of child abuse is made every 10 seconds in the United States .

While physical abuse can be obvious, not all signs of abuse are as apparent. Ignoring a child’s needs, putting them in unsupervised, dangerous situations, exposing them to sexual situations, or making them feel worthless or unintelligent are also forms of child abuse and neglect – that also leave deep and lasting scars.

A common misunderstanding is that only a certain type of person will abuse their kids and these individuals and their bad parenting will be obvious. But this isn’t true. Neglect can happen in any family. The risk of abusive behavior crosses all racial, economic, and cultural lines. Oftentimes, not all parents or guardians intentionally abuse their children. There are a plethora of factors that increase a person’s risk for abusing a child, which include :
                         • history of child abuse or neglect during their own childhood
                         • having a substance use disorder
                         • physical or mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
                         • poor parent-child relationships
                         • socioeconomic stress from financial issues, unemployment, or medical problems
                        • a lack of understanding about basic childhood development (expecting children to be capable of tasks bef-                                 ore they’re ready)
                         • a lack of parenting skills to help cope with the pressures and struggles of raising a child
                         • a lack of support from family members, friends, neighbors, or the community
                         • caring for a child with intellectual or physical disabilities that make adequate care more challenging
                         • family stress or crisis caused by domestic violence, relationship turmoil, separation, or divorce
                         • personal mental health issues, including low self-confidence and feelings of incompetence or shame

The safety and care of children, both born and unborn, are pillars in our mission and Catholic Charities of East Tennessee is committed to reducing the impact of child abuse in our region. Our Columbus Home Assisting Parents (C.H.A.P) program is unique in that families work together with the C.H.A.P. program leaders to create safe, nurturing relationships that lead to secure home environments.

Through the Nurturing Parenting Program and Strengthening Families approach, C.H.A.P. supports families by providing information and educational materials, assisting with parenting skills and childhood development, as well as advocacy and assistance with community resources. C.H.A.P.’s goal is to strengthen and preserve families to ensure the safety and well-being of children.

What to do if you’re afraid you might hurt a child:
• Call the Childhelp National Child Abuse 24/7 Hotline: 800-4-A-CHILD (800-422-4453)
• Contact and enroll in our C.H.A.P program and start receiving free resources and services to help you and your family
• Call your doctor or therapist or text the CRISIS Text Line - Text HOME to 741741
• Visit the Child Welfare Information Gateway here

What to do if you suspect child abuse?
We understand reporting child abuse if you’re unsure may feel unwarranted and invasive. However, what if you’re not wrong and you’re a child’s only hope? See it. Suspect it. Report it.
• Call child protective services, a local hospital, or the police (when you fear the child’s life is in danger)
• Call the Childhelp National Child Abuse 24/7 Hotline: 800-4-A-CHILD (800-422-4453)
• Visit Prevent Child Abuse America for resources

In the past three years, C.H.A.P. has served 230 families with more than 500 children total – all of which are still within an intact family with no reports of abuse or neglect