"I've Never Known Anyone Who Was Abused"

I sat over lunch this week with a dear friend I’ve known now for a number of years.  She is probably in her late 70’s and comes from an affluent area in the Denver Metro area.  Because I had not seen her since taking my new position at DCAC, she wanted to know exactly what I’m doing and, more importantly, what DCAC does.  As my fundraising career has primarily been in higher education and the arts, this change has been quite a departure from the familiar.  I began sharing with her about exactly what the incredible staff of DCAC sees on a daily basis.* Over the course of the conversation, “Delores” continually expressed surprise, finally confessing, “Well, I have never known anyone who was abused.”  Another lady sitting nearby leaned in and shared, “Yes, dear, you do.  You just don’t know that you do.” 

That moment was profound for all three of us.  The fact is, if we have any circle of acquaintances at all, we know someone (probably MANY people) who has/have suffered abuse and violence.  But what are the indicators?  Our Prevention Team at DCAC educates children, caregivers, teachers and parents on abuse:  signs of abuse, at-risk children, appropriate and inappropriate adult/child interaction.  The truth of the matter is that a child that grows up in a secure environment with a supportive family and community has a much greater chance of success and survival.  To this end, there is a direct correlation between the investments states make in health, education and social programs and the welfare of their children. 

According to a non-partisan report recently released by the organization, “Every Child Matters”, children living in states that rank lowest in such investments are:

• ·         Twice as likely to die in their first year as children in the highest ranking state.
• ·         Three times more likely to die between the ages of 1-14.
• ·         Nearly three times more likely to die between the ages of 15-19.
• ·         Three times more likely to be born to a teenage mother.
• ·         Five times more likely to have mothers who received late or no prenatal care.
• ·         Three times more likely to live in poverty.
• ·         Five times more likely to be uninsured.
• ·         Eight times more likely to be incarcerated.
• ·         Thirteen times more likely to die from abuse and neglect.
• ·         Less likely to be protected if abused or neglected:  The top state spends 12 times more to address child abuse and neglect than the bottom state.

A child living in the top states is more likely to receive medical attention when ill, to be protected from further assaults if sexually abused, to be treated for a mental illness rather than incarcerated, and to receive the special help needed to finish high school.  The investment on the part of the state will either be made in the form of prevention and education or in the form of treatment and incarceration.  The latter is much less expensive and, more importantly, much more productive for society and for the children.

Children born in the bottom ten states are 70% more likely to die before their first birthday than children in the top ten.  In Louisiana, the infant mortality rate is more than twice as high than in the top states (Massachusetts and Vermont).

The report is truly eye-opening:

• ·         The bottom states generally have much higher poverty rates.
• ·         The bottom states generally have much higher proportions of minority children.
• ·         The bottom states generally have much lower levels of educational attainment.
• ·         The bottom states generally have a much narrower view of the role of government in addressing social issues.
• ·         The bottom states generally tax themselves at a much lower rate, leaving inadequate revenue needed to make investments in children.
• ·         Are states unable to invest in children because they are too poor?  Or are they poor because they fail to invest?

At DCAC, we do what we can to stem the tide of abuse and neglect.  Our “Access to Health Program” offers assistance to uninsured families and children to help them maneuver through the Medicaid and CHP+ system, giving them critical medical care and treatment.  Our “Denver Safe from the Start Program” helps to keep children in underserved and high-risk schools safe from violence in their homes and communities.  Our “Forensic Interview” team is highly trained to find the truth through careful questioning of victims in a child-centric and sensitive manner.  And finally, our “Assessment and Treatment” team allows the healing to begin, “restoring childhood” for the innocent victims who walk through our doors each and every day.

Mississippi and Louisiana rank 49^th and 50^th respectively while Massachusetts and Vermont are numbers one and two.  And if you’re wondering, Colorado ranks 27^th on the chart.  Where we go from here…up or down…will be decided in the weeks and months to come.  What priority will we place on the health and well-being of our children?

*Of course, no inappropriate information is ever divulged regarding clients of DCAC with anyone.  As Director of Development, I am not privy to any confidential information shared between clients and therapists, victim advocates or interviewers.  Stories that are shared have already been made public and are done so anonymously, only after all legal proceedings have been concluded.

**FACTS AND FIGURES ARE TAKEN FROM EVERY CHILD MATTERS..