The activities aim to heighten awareness of the need to help families and children and prevent child abuse and neglect. We must intervene whenever a child is hurt or in danger of being hurt. We must make our communities safe to help parents raise their children. We must offer education and training to help parents learn alternatives to violence. And, we in government must provide services and assistance to families in crisis when all else fails.
People working together to prevent abuse and neglect is the theme of activities in many communities.
In Anoka County, the crisis nursery will set up displays about child abuse and neglect prevention at Unity and Mercy hospitals and distribute blue ribbons at the hospitals and local schools. The Washington County Crisis Nursery will work with area churches and schools on a Blue Ribbon Campaign to End Child Abuse, distributing blue ribbons and educational materials. In Olmsted County, the crisis nursery will sponsor displays at a Rochester bank, library and plaza, a Healthy Kids Day and a wellness day. The effects of child abuse are far reaching. Research has shown that children who have been abused and neglected are more likely to perform poorly in school, get involved in criminal activities and abuse or neglect their own children.