Finally, comes April!
Winter’s hold weakens and warmer days are like blue ribbons awarded to those who greet April’s gifts with eager anticipation.
But all “Blue Ribbon Days” are not reminders of nature’s new awakening, dreams of longed for vacations or the planting of spring gardens.
Each April, there is another kind of “Blue Ribbon Day.” Ribbons are tied to trees and other places to remember those who are victims of child abuse and to remind every one of the terrible price millions of our children are paying each year because of abuse and neglect.
In America, at least four children die each day from abuse. Over 4 million reports of abuse and neglect, involving 6 million children,are made each year. Victims of abuse grow up being abusers and murderers, perform poorly in school and occupy a disproportionate share of space in prisons.
And each year, in April,we tie blue ribbons to trees to remember them.
Is there not something we can do to stop this disgrace and this unbridled disease that is killing our children?
Prevention of abuse means addressing the causes. Prevention however becomes a very complex problem, given that there is no single cause, or even a grouping of causes of abuse. Perhaps then, a different approach is needed. It would seem feasible that a major campaign, marshaling community, state and national resources, along with public policy support, could be effective if focused on just one or two of the most common and recurring factors associated with abuse. Once identified, then a full-scale effort directed at those causes could have a much better chance of making a lasting impact, increasing prevention and providing opportunities for healing.
Granted, such an approach will take the dedication of elected officials, committed citizens and the judicious use of funds that will still not totally eradicate the dark cloud of abuse hovering over our children. Still, such a new look is justified if April is to become a true “Blue Ribbon Month” and not one that remembers the ever-increasing numbers of the deaths of our children.
Olson Huff, MD 
As usual, a very thoughtful discussion of this topic. Thanks for reminding us and once again raising our consciousness on this issue.
Thanks Barbara. We all need to be made more aware of this example of human kind gone wrong!
Good writing on issue trying to hide under the radar of public awareness and care.
Yes, too much denial and too much acceptance of this tragic example of violence.
Olson,
As always a thoughtful essay. Child abuse is a problem that most of us don’t see and, if we do, don’t know what to do. You remind us that to do nothing makes us part of the problem. Bringing this issue into the open is an important first step.
Yes, like domestic violence, the abuse of children is too often ignored. Thanks for your comment!
What would you say are the one or two most common and recurring forms of abuse with which we ought to begin? Jim Richardson
The question is a good one in that I feel the need to address the top causes by a through process will help to focus prevention. Poverty, lack of parenting skills, drug and alcohol abuse, marital discord, family violence, all play a role.