Show your support for child abuse prevention

Our best hope for a better and brighter future lies in our most vulnerable population, children and youth. They can also be the most resilient when given the proper tools to succeed. Alarmingly, Alaska struggles, ranked as one of the highest rates of child abuse per capita in the United States. Sadly, most child abuse goes undetected and unreported, according to Alaska State Department of Health and Social Services. Do you dare to stand up against child abuse? Do you dare stand up for a child in need?

Childhood experiences shape us into the people we grow up to be. Good or bad, they can have a profound impact on our lives. These negative experiences can have direct damaging impacts on a child’s future, including mental and physical health problems. Kaiser Permanente and the Center for Disease Control first identified these Adverse Childhood Experiences, also known as ACEs in a study in 1995. There is a direct correlation proving if kids have a higher number of adverse, or harmful, experiences they are far more likely to have more health problems later in life; these can include heart disease and addiction. Do you dare let this happen?

Be aware! Kids are more likely to be abused by someone they know and trust. Over 90% of victims know their abusers, who are often family members and acquaintances. This makes children more at risk and less likely to speak up. If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, speak up!

If we want a brighter future, we need to teach our future generations to dare to be brave. We need to support them when they do not have a voice of their own. We need to create safe spaces for them to go. We need to create safe environments for them to speak up in, when they are in danger. We need to listen. We need to watch and stand up for them when they cannot do it for themselves. We need to help for their future and ours.

April is Child Abuse Awareness Month, and you can help. You can bring awareness to this issue. April 5th is Go Blue Day. Show your support of Child Abuse Prevention by wearing blue to stand up against child abuse! Dare to be the one, who makes a difference!

Kristin Johnson,

Wasilla