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United Family Services
601 East Fifth Street, Suite 400
Charlotte NC 28202
Phone: 704.332.9034
Fax: 704.373.1604 info@ufsclt.org |
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| Crisis Intervention & Advocacy | |
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Child Abuse Prevention
Child Abuse is a growing concern in our society. Prevent Child Abuse of North Carolina reports that one in three girls and one in five boys will be sexually abused before they reach the age of 18. In 2000, there were over 1,600 reports of child abuse in Union County. Seventy-three percent of child abuse and neglect reports made to the Union County Department of Social Services represented children between the ages of 0-12.
The quality of children’s lives affects the quality of life in our community. United Family Services, supported by The Union County Partnership for Children and the North Carolina Children’s Trust Fund, has assumed the leadership role in providing a Child Abuse Prevention Program through community awareness and education. The objectives of the Child Abuse Prevention program are:
- To conduct interactive programs for children teaching assertiveness, improving decision-making skills and making children more aware of where to get help when they are threatened.
- To improve the knowledge and ability of professional educators to recognize the signs of child abuse/neglect and to appropriately report to the Union County Department of Social Services.
- To increase parenting skills in communication, discipline, and stress management in order to reduce the factors associated with child maltreatment.
- To increase community awareness of the prevalence of child abuse and neglect.
United Family Services would like to invite you to participate in Child Abuse Prevention especially in the “Blue Ribbon Campaign”. If you are interested in participating in United Family Services’ Child Abuse Prevention Services (CAPS), please 704.226.1352 for additional information.
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How To Protect Your Child...Every Child
- Participate in your child's activites and get to know your child's friends.
- Teach your child the difference between "good touches," "bad touches" and "confusing touches."
- Be aware of changes in your child's behavior or attitude and inquire.
- Listen when your child tells you they don't want to be with someone.
- Be alert for any talk that reveals premature sexual knowledge or understanding.
- Teach your child what to do if you and your child become separated while away from home.
- Pay attention when someone shows greater than normal interest in your child.
- Make certain your child's school or day care center will release your child to only you or someone you officially designate.
- Teach your child the correct names of his/her private body parts.
- Never discipline your child when your anger is out of control.
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Signs and Symptons of Child Abuse
Physical Abuse
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unexplained burns, cuts, bruises or welts |
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bite marks |
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anti-social behavior |
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problems in school |
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fear of adults |
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Emotional Abuse
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apathy |
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depression |
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hostility or stress |
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lack of concentration |
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eating disorders |
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Sexual Abuse
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inappropriate knowledge of sexual acts |
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nightmares or bed wetting |
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drastic changes in appetite |
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overcompliance or excessive aggression |
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fear of a particular person or family member |
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Neglect
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unsuitable clothing for weather |
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dirty or unbathed |
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extreme hunger |
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lack of apparent supervison |
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How to Respond to Disclosures of Child Abuse
- Remain calm. A child may retract information or stop talking if they sense a strong reaction.
- Believe the child. Children rarely make up stories about abuse.
- Listen without passing judgment. Most children know their abusers and often have confused feelings.
- Tell the child you are glad that they told someone.
- Assure the child that abuse is not their fault.
- Do what you can to make certain that the child is safe from further abuse.
- Do not investigate the abuse yourself. Call 9-1-1 or Union County child protective services at 704.296.4300.
- Call 1.800.Children, or 1.800.4.A.Child, for crisis intervention and referral services.
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