The Blue Ribbon Campaign to Prevent Child Abuse
The Blue Ribbon Campaign began in the spring of 1989 when Bonnie Finney of Virginia lost her grandson, Michael Dickenson. The three year old died at the hands of her daughter’s abusive boyfriend. Bonnie tied a blue ribbon to her car- symbolizing the blue of her grandson’s bruises- and encouraged her community to do the same. During National Child Abuse Prevention Month each April, the Blue Ribbon Campaign is used throughout the country as a way to bring communities together to protect children from all forms of abuse.
KIDS Center brought the campaign to our community in 1997 to raise awareness of child abuse in Central Oregon. Last year there were over 2300 reports of child abuse in Central Oregon and almost 700 children walked through KIDS Center’s doors for evaluation and treatment of abuse. Most children do not report therefore the actual number of children being hurt in our community is far greater than we could ever know.
Do your part: In Central Oregon each year more than 50,000 blue ribbons are distributed locally by volunteers, active citizens and community partners. Ribbons are available at KIDS Center and at businesses and agencies through-out the community. Show your support for protecting children. Wear a blue ribbon all during the month of April and learn more about how to protect the children in your life and in our entire community! Contact KIDS Center at 541-383-5958 or www.kidscenter.org
Myths & Facts about Child Abuse
MYTH: Children who are abused do something to cause the abuse to occur.
FACT: The child is always the victim. The responsibility for the abuse lies solely with the abuser.
MYTH: It's only abuse if it's violent.
FACT: Physical abuse is just one type of child abuse. Neglect and emotional abuse can be just as damaging, and since they are more subtle, others are less likely to intervene. Lastly, sexual abuse is violent in only a small percentage of cases.
MYTH: Most sexual abuse is committed by someone who’s a stranger to the child.
FACT: Someone the child knows, likes, trusts, loves and/or lives with is the person most likely to sexually abuse a child.
MYTH: Children lie about sexual abuse.
FACT: Children usually do not have the explicit sexual knowledge to enable them to talk about sexual acts unless they have experienced them.
Recognize the Signs of Abuse and REPORT
Some- but not all- abused children may exhibit physical or behavioral signs.
Signs of abuse may include:
• Nervousness around adults or a particular adult.
• Aggression or passivity and over-compliance.
• Sudden changes in personality or school work.
• Unable to stay awake or concentrate.
• Does not want to go home from school or after school activity.
• Low self-esteem.
• Bruises or injuries that are frequent and/or unexplained.
• Poor hygiene.
Sometimes there are no signs at all.
Since few children ever come forward to report abuse, make it your responsibility to recognize these signs and report any suspicions or disclosures of abuse.
IF YOU SUSPECT THAT A CHILD IS BEING ABUSED, CALL AND TALK TO TRAINED DHS PERSONNEL AT 541-693-2700 OR CALL 911. Anyone who makes a good faith report based on reasonable grounds is immune from prosecution.
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