April is nationally recognized as Child Abuse Prevention Month. At the request of The Parent Child Center of Tulsa (PCCT), Mayor GT Bynum has proclaimed April 2018 as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Tulsa. In addition, at the request of Parent Promise in OKC, and The Parent Child Center of Tulsa, Oklahoma Governor, Mary Fallin has proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention Month for the state of Oklahoma.
CLICK HERE to read Mayor Bynum’s proclamation.
CLICK HERE to read Governor Fallin’s proclamation.
The Parent Child Center of Tulsa will spread the message of child abuse and neglect awareness by installing 2,721 pinwheels on the lawn of our downtown office located at 1421 South Boston. The pinwheels represent the fact that there were 2,721 substantiated cases of child abuse and neglect in Tulsa County in 2017. In addition, blue ribbons will be placed on trees on our property as well as around the city.
PCCT’s President & CEO, Regina Moon, states, “Child abuse and neglect are important issues in our community. Last year, we saw an increase in substantiated cases of child abuse and neglect in our county. Our mission is to prevent child abuse and neglect through education, treatment, and advocacy. We know that together as a community we can decrease child maltreatment. To accomplish this we need the support of all Tulsa citizens.”
Experts agree when parents have support from family, friends and neighbors, as well as access to community resources designed to strengthen families, caregivers are better able to provide safe and stable homes for their children. PCCT encourages Tulsa citizens to become crusaders for kids by:
- Educating yourself and others. Simple support for children and parents can be the best way to prevent child abuse. After-school activities, parent education classes, mentoring programs, and respite care are some of the many ways to keep children safe from harm. Be a voice in support of these efforts in your community.
- Knowing the signs. Unexplained injuries aren’t the only signs of abuse. Depression, fear of a certain adult, difficulty trusting others or making friends, sudden changes in eating or sleeping patterns, inappropriate sexual behavior, poor hygiene, secrecy, and hostility are often signs of family problems and may indicate a child is being neglected or physically, sexually, or emotionally abused.
- Reporting abuse. If you witness a child being harmed or see evidence of abuse, report the harm to OKDHS by calling 1-800-522-3511. When talking to a child about abuse, listen carefully, assure the child that he or she did the right thing by telling an adult, and affirm that he or she is not responsible for what happened.
- Investing in kids. Encourage leaders in the community to be supportive of children and families. Ask employers to provide family-friendly work environments. Ask your local and national lawmakers to support legislation to better protect our children and to improve their lives.
- Placing a blue bow on a tree in your yard to show support for kids.
Click play above and below to listen to PSAs regarding CAP Month! Thank you to Carly Rush of Talk Radio 1170!
If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Carrie Little at 405-517-2866 or email at clittle@parentchildcenter.org .
The Parent Child Center of Tulsa’s mission is to prevent child abuse and neglect through education, treatment and advocacy. www.parentchildcenter.org
Find us on Facebook @The Parent Child Center of Tulsa
The Parent Child Center of Tulsa is a Tulsa Area United Way Partner Agency.
