Instead, that many extra calls have been coming in every day, pushing the shelter over capacity and forcing it to turn away more than 2,300 women and children last year.

This educational forum will feature a presentation on the most recent county-specific KIDS COUNT findings for Jackson County and a panel discussion with providers, educators, and other advocates. The forum is free and open to everyone!

Date: Thursday, 4/29, 2 to 4pm, Penn Valley College, Room 502, 3201 Southwest Trfy., KCMO

Child Abuse Prevention Month April 2010

A Bi-State Effort to Prevent Child Abuse

The Kansas City Child Abuse Roundtable Coalition, a group of advocates and elected officials, is joining together again this year to promote awareness of child abuse and the prevention, training and treatment services available in the greater Kansas City metropolitan area.  In past years, more than 30 community agencies have brought needed attention to this important issue through cooperation and educational opportunities for adults and children.  In 2006, the coalition expanded our Child Abuse Prevention Month activities to become a bi-state effort; and that continues for 2010.

The Roundtable Coalition will produce a calendar of scheduled events for Child Abuse Prevention Month in April.  The coalition encourages your organization to  plan and submit events for inclusion.  Through the generous donation of The Kansas City Star, the calendar will be published in the April 1, 2010 edition.  To have your event(s) included in this calendar, please submit the online form at www.preventchildabusekc.org.  Please submit your events no later than March 15, 2010. Please note that forms received after this date cannot be guaranteed inclusion and due to space limitations events that are open to the public or that reach a large constituency will be given priority.

In addition, mark your calendars for Kansas City’s 3rd Annual Child Abuse Prevention Month “Wear Blue Day” on  Friday, April 16, 2010.  Businesses, churches, schools, civic organizations, government and nonprofit organizations metro-wide are being asked for their commitment to have members and staff wear blue on this important day to make a visible statement across our community that child abuse prevention is our shared responsibility.  This is a great way for large groups of people to get involved and increase awareness with virtually no expense.  Our goal is to have at least 20,000 individuals participate this year.  In order to track the number of participants and promote this to the media, please complete the participation form included at the above link.  A list of participating groups will be posted on the website and, space permitting, will also be included, in The Star calendar.  Please forward this request for participation to your professional and personal contacts to help us reach our goal!

If you have questions about the calendar, Wear Blue Day, or the process for submitting either form please contact Heather Solis at solish@tcpkc.org.

• Keeping the Faith, by Rev. Marie Fortune (available in English and Spanish);

• “The Lord Hears Your Cries:  Hope and Strength from the Scriptures in the Midst of Domestic Violence,” booklet published by the American Bible Society;

• “What You Need to Know about Sexual Violence,” brochure published by the Faith Trust Institute;

• God’s Reconciling Love:  A Pastor’s Handbook on Domestic Violence, by Dr. Nancy Murphy;

• Domestic Violence:  What Every Pastor Needs to Know, by Rev. Al Miles;

• Ending Violence in Teen Dating Relationships:  A Resource Guide for Pastors and Parents, by Rev. Al Miles;

• Walking Together:  Working with Women from Diverse Spiritual Traditions, edited by Jean Anton; and

• Family Violence and Religion:  An Interfaith Resource Guide, compiled by the staff of Volcano Press.

Pat L, Chaplain at RBC is available to meet with faith leaders and victims by appointment.  She can be reached at 816.523.5550 ext. 246

In 2003, Judge Bowles traveled to Almaty, Kazakhstan where he presented to Kazakh judges at a national workshop on Domestic Violence and Judicial Independence sponsored by the U.S. Justice Department and the ABA’s Central and Eastern European Law Institute. Most recently, Judge Bowles was invited to consult with the Minister of State and the Crown Court in London, England regarding the implementation of an integrated Family Court and Domestic Violence Coordinating Council. ]]> http://jcsafefamily.org/?feed=rss2&p=663 0 http://jcsafefamily.org/?p=654 http://jcsafefamily.org/?p=654#comments Mon, 14 Sep 2009 18:15:24 +0000 admin http://jcsafefamily.org/?p=654 Jefferson City – KRCG TV

Wednesday, September 02, 2009 at 5:32 p.m.

Unreported abuse prompts community outcry

COLUMBIA — The murder trial of a Columbia mother charged with second degree murder in the death of her toddler son has prompted an outcry from the community, after witness testimony that the alleged abuse went unreported.

The KRCG Factfinder team talked with the experts to find out why some people are hesitant to report abuse and what you need to know if you see abuse happening.

Graphic autopsy pictures of were shown to the jury Tuesday during Keyonda Lumpkin’s murder trial. Doctors testified that Cortez Johnson, 2, had more than 200 injuries when he was taken to University Hospital.

Little Cortez is one of many Missouri children who are abused every year. In 2007, there were more than 6,500 substantiated cases of child abuse, most cases involving neglect.
But child safety advocates believe thousands of other cases go unreported.

“That child doesn’t have the ability to speak for his or herself,” said Bryon White, with Central Missouri Community Action.  “We need to really step up to the plate and be the advocate.”

White says physical abuse is often the easiest to spot.

“Bruises and lacerations, cuts, scrapes, things of that nature,” said White.

But not all abuse can be seen.  “If you see a child constantly being ridiculed, or belittled by their adult or caregiver. That would fit in that category of emotional abuse,” said White.

Advocates say reporting child abuse can be difficult, but making that call could be the first step in making sure that child gets the help that they need.

You can report abuse by calling the state’s child abuse and neglect hotline toll free at 1-800-392-3738.  You don’t have to give your name when you call if you don’t want to.  Abuse can also be reported by calling Crimestoppers at 1-573-875-TIPS. If you do leave your name and number, that information is not shared.
“You don’t have to be certain that there’s abuse happening, you just have to have a reason to suspect or believe that there is,” said White.

In some communities, people are hesitant to call the police to report abuse, because they don’t want to get involved or they’re not sure if abuse is happening. But experts say with more people reporting abuse, fewer stories will end like Cortez’s.
By law, some people have to report suspected abuse. Medical professionals, teachers, lawyers, and social workers are among those who could face penalties if abuse is not reported.