What Can You Do To Raise Awareness of Child Abuse?
Raising awareness of child abuse does require the efforts of all community levels. There are things that each of us can do to help educate the community within our own arenas. Listed below are some ideas we have generated. Please call us if you need assistance in implementing these suggestions or in implementing your own ideas within your congregation.
- Perform and/or organize skits that address the issues of child abuse during the worship service. Some suggestions on what issues to cover include: what to do if you know someone has been abused, who to call, and what to say to the child.
- Incorporate information about child abuse in your weekly worship service (Note: April is Child Abuse Prevention Month)
- Distribute prayer petitions to congregation dealing with child abuse
- Make your own pamphlet(s) that are specific to your congregation’s religious beliefs. Place the pamphlets(s) in an area that would allow for privacy and confidentiality (i.e. restrooms, cloak rooms, etc.). You can also place other pamphlets, available through community organizations that address the issue of child abuse. Examples include:
- Parents United (discusses counseling options for victims of abuse and their parents)
- Children’s Family Support Center
- YWCA (facts about domestic violence and effects on children)
- YWCA Hotline cards 9has the phone number of the 24-hour hotline where people can call and discuss issues anonymously and receive helpful suggestions and referrals)
- Develop a Bible study curriculum that addresses the issue of child abuse
- Implement background checks and a screening process on staff and/or volunteers working within your religious organization – know what the “red flags” are!
- Invite a speaker to spiritual adult and/or youth groups to talk about child abuse
- Incorporate activities that involve children making posters that deal with stopping child abuse
- Develop a safety plan children can learn that incorporates all issues of child abuse and lets them understand that child abuse is never their fault
- Educate and train yourself and employees on issues, past and current, regarding child abuse
