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Play it safe: Advocacy center warns of abuse, provides tips
By Marthe Stinton, mstinton@starlocalnews.com
Summer is here and children are no longer in their structured school schedules. Summer camps promise exciting days meeting new friends and playing new games. Sleepovers promise late nights watching the summer's latest family-friendly blockbuster, and pool parties promise the first sunburn of the season. But, as the kids focus on the fun, it's time for parents to focus on safety.
Child abuse is far more common than most people realize. One in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused by their 18th birthday, according to information from the Dallas Children's Advocacy Center (DCAC). In the vast majority of cases, the abuser is not a stranger, but someone the child knows and trusts.
Ellen Magnis, chief external affairs officer at the Dallas Children's Advocacy Center, said parents need to begin an ongoing personal safety conversation with children and watch for warning signs when children are being placed in a new daycare or camp, or if children are breaking out of their normal routine.
When looking at summer camps, Magnis said reputable camps -- both day and sleepover camps -- should be willing and able to answer questions about how they protect children. If parents aren't satisfied with the answers, Magnis said, it's best on err on the side of safety and find another camp.
"We don't actually have good statistics on this," Magnis said, "but what we do know is that we periodically see cases come to light in the media where something has gone on for perhaps years before anyone discloses. We know from some national research that only about one in 10 children will tell if they are sexually abused, so this is very much an underreported crime."
DCAC provides a checklist of policies to look for when considering a camp, such as the need for a policy restricting one-on-one contact, which should only occur in an open environment where others can see the interaction. There should also be a policy restricting outside interactions between campers and their adult and junior counselors.
Every employee or volunteer should be background checked and screened before he or she is hired. Every counselor or volunteer should be trained on how to recognize and report suspected abuse, and the camp should have a zero-tolerance policy on inappropriate interactions. This is especially important, since research says only 30 percent of suspected abuse cases are ever reported, according to a DCAC release.
Magnis suggests parents immediately speak with their children if any abnormalities occur and call local authorities if abuse is suspected.
"Parents can say things like, 'I'm here if you want to talk about anything that is bothering you, if there has been something that has made you uncomfortable, I want to help you work through that. If someone has hurt your feelings or made you feel uncomfortable, I want to know about that and help you,'" Magnis said.
David Moore, public information officer for the Coppell Police Department, said Coppell police received a report of child sexual abuse as recent as June 9.
"The Texas Child Protective Services received 255,514 reports of alleged child abuse and/or neglect in 2011," Moore said, quoting fact from the department of family and protective services. "Abuse occurs in all socio-economic, ethnic, racial, and age groups. If child abuse is suspected, contact the police and CPS immediately."
For information on DCAC's educational programs, visit dcac.org.
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