Child abuse awareness as important as ever

The depraved women in Salinas who allegedly severely abused and neglected their children deserve prosecution under the fullest extent of the law. The case also serves as a reminder that April is Child Abuse Awareness Month. These reprehensible acts occurred in our community, and if we want these kinds of things to stop, the community needs to continue to heighten awareness of child abuse and neglect to prevent further acts.

According to the Monterey County Department of Social and Employment Services (DSES) Child and Family Services Review Self-Assessment Report, from 2008-09 to 2012-13, the number of referrals for child abuse and neglect has gone down substantially in Monterey County (mirroring the trend in California). On the one hand, it may seem that fewer referrals mean fewer acts of abuse and neglect. Yet, it may be that fewer referrals come in because people have become less aware or less apt to call in their suspicions. In Monterey County, the number of emergency response intakes has remained relatively flat — meaning that the same numbers of kids are receiving intervention from county services, despite fewer referrals. This finding may indicate that when county social workers go out for the evaluation, more intense intervention is required. Children age 0 to 4 comprise the largest proportion of children in foster care in our county.

http://www.montereyherald.com/opinion/ci_25453831/child-abuse-awareness-important-ever