Highland Lakes organizations, community take aim at child abuse
DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR
BURNET — It’s an issue most people don’t want to know exists or don’t want to talk about. But ignoring it will only make it worse.
That’s why several Highland Lakes organizations are speaking out about the problems of child abuse and how people can help prevent it.
“As much as we want to think it does not happen here, children are abused and neglected in Burnet County,” said Marsha Neel, the president of the Burnet County Child Welfare Board.
According to the board, law enforcement and Child Protective Services investigated 444 reports of child abuse or neglect in Burnet County in 2012 with 135 children taken into state care. During that same year, Llano County officials opened 199 investigations with 50 children taken into state care.
Neel said the community needs to be aware of the problem, which is one of the reasons April is recognized as Child Abuse Prevention Month. Across the country, organizations and individuals can show their support of children and fight against child abuse by displaying a blue ribbon.
The blue ribbon first appeared as a call for child abuse prevention in 1989 when Bonnie Finney of Norfolk, Va., tied one to her car antenna.
Finney’s grandson died as a result of child abuse. She used the blue ribbon to raise awareness about child abuse.
“Even if we change one child’s life, it would be worth it,” Finney said. “I don’t want other parents or grandparents to go through what we are going through.”
That blue ribbon has grown into a national campaign to prevent child abuse.
But officials said it’s not enough simply to display a blue ribbon and leave it at that. The key, officials said, is to take an active role in preventing child abuse.
One thing, Neel said, is people should learn what child abuse looks like.
“Each of us can involve ourselves in helping these children by becoming aware of signs of abuse and neglect and by being willing to get involved,” she said. “These children are defenseless against an abuser, and it is up to us as adults to be there to step in.”
People can also support local organizations, such as the Burnet County Child Welfare Board, that work to prevent child abuse, raise awareness of the issue and offer support and care to victims.
The board meets 11 a.m. the second Wednesday of the month at the Hill Country Children’s Advocacy Center, 1001 N. Hill St.
Other organizations include the Court Appointed Special Advocates for the Highland Lakes Area (www.highlandlakescasa.com), the Hill Country Children’s Advocacy Center (www.hccac.org) and the Highland Lakes Family Crisis Center (www.hlfcc.org).
People can check out the organizations’ websites to learn more and explore ways to get involved. Throughout the month of April, The Picayune will also highlight one of these organizations each week.
Neel said people can decide to what extent they get involved, but she hopes they will find some way to help.
daniel@thepicayune.com