FORT RUCKER, Ala. (April 9, 2015) -- Child abuse can oftentimes go unnoticed, but Fort Rucker is bringing the issue to the forefront as the installation's garrison commander signed a proclamation committing the community to the prevention of child abuse.
In honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month and Month of the Military Child, Col. Stuart J. McRae signed the proclamation during a ceremony in the lobby of Bldg. 5700 to bring awareness to the plight of abused children -- a problem he said that must not go on unnoticed.
"Across the Army this last year, we've had 3,600 abuse cases," he said. "Here at Fort Rucker, we're fortunate that we've had a continuous decrease in abuse situations, but last year we still had 14 verified abuse cases, and that's 14 too many."
As many as 50 percent of abuse cases that take place are against children who are under the age of 3, and only 16 percent of child abuse cases are ever reported, said McRae, adding that people must do a better job of detecting the signs of abuse and reporting it to the proper authorities.
"If only 14 cases of abuse were reported last year, then there are many more that are out there that go unreported. We all have a role and responsibility to eradicate child abuse," he said, adding that knowing the signs of child abuse and neglect are part of that responsibility.
McRae, who comes from a large, multicultural family, said that he remembered on one occasion when his parents were accused of abuse, although the charges were unfounded. His parents were investigated, and although he said the process can be one that's unnerving, it's one that is necessary and that people shouldn't be reluctant to go through it.
"None of us should be worried if someone reports something and asks someone to come check it out," he said. "We shouldn't be averse to that because it's better to be safe than sorry. We should have a situation where we're not afraid to make a call and err on the side of protecting a child if that's what it takes. If we're unwilling to be looked at and examined on what we're doing, then we may be part of the problem. Preventing child abuse is everyone's business."
Although April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, every day throughout the year should be committed to reducing and eliminating child abuse, he said.
"What better way to honor children of military families than to keep them protected from abuse?" asked Crystal Roedler, Fort Rucker new parent support program manager. "Children are the future of our nation and deserve to be protected. It is our mission to ensure that they grow up in a stable and nurturing environment, but our mission is not just to respond well to child abuse when it happens.
"Our mission is to prevent child abuse from happening in the first place," she said. "Child abuse prevention does not end on the last day of April. It must go on every day of the year, in every circumstance and in every corner of Army life, on installations and out in the community."
In order to properly defend against child abuse, there are several warning signs of child abuse that McRae said people should be sensitive to.
People should look out for changes in children's behavior, such as their grades dropping, activity levels decreasing, moods changing, and not wanting to be touched or shying away from adults.
Although some children may naturally shy away from adults, if the behavior is out of the ordinary for the child, it might be a sign of abuse or neglect.
"As a parent, if somebody comes and says that there's been an allegation or a suspicion that something might be happening, we shouldn't take it personally and we should cooperate. That's how we eradicate it," said McRae. "Our children deserve to be protected. We have a responsibility as adults and as parents, and I'm asking all of you to get involved and take that challenge for now until the end of our days. Everyone must play a role in keeping our children safe and secure and free from abuse."
Related Links:
USAACE and Fort Rucker on Twitter
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