April proclamation highlights child abuse, neglect

The Coffee County Commission announced a proclamation on Friday, April 15, that designates April as Child Abuse Awareness Month.

This proclamation is announced every year in an effort to increase awareness of child abuse in the county.

"It affects every single one of us in this state and in this county," District Judge Chris Kaminski said.

Commissioner Jimmy Jones said, "There's no excuse for child abuse."

In Alabama in Fiscal Year 2015, there were 35,254 reports of child abuse or neglect, according to Coffee County Department of Human Resources (DHR) Deanna Stinson. These cases, she said, involved 53,689 children.

In Coffee County in 2015, 314 cases were reported, Stinson said. There were 166 prevention cases and 148 child abuse or neglect investigations, she said.

Of the 148 investigations, 37 cases were for neglect, 82 cases were for alleged physical abuse and 51 cases were for alleged sexual abuse, Stinson said. There could be multiple allegations on a report of child abuse or neglect.

She said there were 59 indicated reports, which means there was sufficient evidence to prove that child abuse or neglect had occurred.

From the start of FY 2016 in October to March, there have been 236 reports of child abuse and neglect, Stinson said. This is 78 less than the total number of reports for FY 2015.

Signs of child abuse are unexplained marks, bruises or cuts, Stinson said. Other, less obvious signs of abuse or neglect could be poor hygiene or inadequate clothing or shelter.

Stinson said sexual abuse is "harder to diagnose." Sudden changes in a child's behavior could be a sign of sexual abuse.

To report possible child abuse or neglect, a person can contact the DHR office and speak with an intake worker at 348-2000. Calls can be anonymous.

"It's always confidential," Stinson said. "But if people feel comfortable giving their contact information, that's helpful to us because we can contact them after the report is made if we need some follow-up information."

"Preventing child abuse is the entire community's responsibility," Stinson said. "People do help with effort every day, even sometimes not realizing it with the support they provide."