Post works to prevent child abuse

FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. - In 1989, a Virginia grandmother tied a blue ribbon to the antenna of her car as a way to remember her grandson who died from abuse.

That small gesture sparked the Blue Ribbon Campaign to Prevent Child Abuse, a national effort to remember those children who lost their lives because of abuse and neglect.

On Friday, staff members at Army Community Service placed blue ribbons on an artificial tree in the foyer of the Community Readiness Center. The event marked the start of the installation's observance of Child Abuse Prevention Month.

The event featured brief remarks by Celena Flowers, Family Advocate Program manager at ACS, and Patricia Youle-Schoedel, supervisory social worker in the Social Work Services Department at Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center.

Flowers explained that the blue of the ribbon symbolizes the fading bruises that scar children who are physically abused.

But in many military families, the signs of abuse are not so apparent, said Youle-Schoedel. Parents often work long hours and their families move frequently, she said, so problems with children are often not reported. "Neglect is common," she said.

In addition, parents may not realize they are harming their children. For example, many parents are unaware of how children develop emotionally. They often overestimate the capabilities of their children, assuming they are more mature than they really are, Youle-Schoedel explained. This can prompt some parents to leave their children unsupervised or may be misguided in their efforts to discipline them.

According to The Family Tree, the state's leading nonprofit dedicated to preventing child abuse and neglect, common signs of physical abuse and neglect include: unexplained burns, bites, bruises, broken bones or black eyes; frequent absences from school; begging or stealing food or money; poor personal hygiene and appearance; lack of sufficient clothing for weather; and fear of a parent or caregiver.

This fiscal year there have been 16 reported incidents of child abuse on Fort Meade. Two reported incidents were of sexual abuse, which could be considered a felony, said Youle-Schoedel.

A key to preventing child abuse is supporting parents, she said. "Whenever you help parents, you're directly helping their children."

Elozra Rowe-Reddish, coordinator of parent support groups at The Family Tree, echoed the same message at the installation's annual Child Abuse Awareness Candlelight Vigil held Monday afternoon at the Cavalry Chapel.

The organization's Parents Anonymous Program provides free, weekly community-based support groups and a companion children's program. Parents Anonymous provides an environment in which parents help each other develop methods of coping with stress and setting goals for their family.

"Do whatever you can to support a child," Rowe-Reddish said.

At Fort Meade, ACS offers a support group for single parents, fathers and new mothers. Flowers said that once a month, the New Parent Support Team at ACS educates the staff at the Child Development Centers about the signs of child abuse and neglect as well as the procedures for reporting an incident.

During Monday's vigil, Deputy Installation Commander John Moeller signed a proclamation declaring Child Abuse Prevention Month on the installation.

In his remarks, Moeller said that in addition to supporting parents, all members of the Fort Meade community should be familiar with the signs of child abuse.

"It takes a community to prevent child abuse," he said.

To report a suspected incident of child abuse, call the military police at the Directorate of Emergency Services at 301-677-6622 (available 24 hours a day) or the Family Advocacy Program at Kimbrough at 301-677-8454.

Related Links:

Fort Meade