October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, an opportunity to shine a light on a problem that too often hides unacknowledged in the shadows. And the impact on children is huge, whether they become targets themselves or whether they witness the abuse of a parent or caregiver.
The statistics on domestic violence are sobering -- and seemingly endless. The CDC indicates that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have been raped, stalked, or physically assaulted by a domestic partner. In 2016 in Ada County alone, police responded to 5,236 calls for domestic violence or sexual assault. Moreover, behind many of these sobering numbers stands a child, or children, who either directly or indirectly experience the violence themselves. What do we know about the long-term effect experiencing or even witnessing domestic violence has on a child?
We’ve told you about the 16,404 cases of child abuse reported in Idaho in its last count. You may know that in confirmed cases of abuse, most are neglect (74 percent) followed by physical abuse (21 percent) and sexual abuse (6 percent). However, there is no good measurement for the way some people tear down the spirits of children without ever laying a hand on them. We're talking about emotional and psychological abuse.
The realities of physical child abuse are unspeakably common and devastating. By the time you see it, it often looks like an angry teenage boy who scares his teachers and parents or a promiscuous girl struggling with a teen pregnancy only to repeat the cycle for the baby she brings into the world (Abused girls are 25% more likely to experience teen pregnancy).
Everyone knows one kid—that one kid who “fell through the cracks” or “just didn’t stand a chance.” As you sit reading this, can you picture their face? Most everyone knows someone who needed to be saved and who never was.
Teenage drug abuse is a daunting obstacle to overcome. Getting to the other side takes personal courage along with solid support from the caring adults who intervene to help. That's why when a boy’s life goes from perilous to promising, it’s cause for celebration. Not only for him but also for family, friends, teachers, community, and for some boys, their probation officer.
Tuesday's story "Few resources for teen addicts: Mother worries about options for 15-year-old son" in The Couer d'Alene Press highlights the importance of getting help for kids struggling with drug or alcohol abuse, including an interview with IYR's senior vice president of programs Dr. Robert Ball.