Preventing child abuse is everyone's responsibility Published April 15, 2008 By Capt. Christy Cruz 71st Medical Group VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Child abuse has a negative impact not only on children, but families, military communities and society as a whole. April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and it serves as a reminder that children continue to suffer - even military children. Contrary to what some may believe - it is everyone's business. Although military members and Department of Defense civilian employees have an obligation to protect the nation, they are also obligated to fulfill their duties as "mandated reporters." Each state has laws requiring certain people to report concerns of child abuse and neglect. Mandated reporters are individuals who have regular contact with children and teens and are required by law to report any type of maltreatment of a minor, observed or suspected, due to neglect, physical or sexual abuse. Failure to report suspected child abuse can result in criminal and civil liability. Most states specify mandated reporters include those who are: school personnel, law enforcement, day-care providers, photographic film processors, mental health professionals and health-care workers. But some are not aware that all United States military members are also mandated to report incidences of suspected child maltreatment? According to Air Force Instruction 140-301.-1.16, "all active duty members and civilian employees of the Air Force will report all incidence of suspected family maltreatment of the Family Advocacy Program." Child maltreatment occurs when a child is mistreated, resulting in injury or risk of harm or death. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, about 87 percent of child abuse cases reported involved one or both parents, and abuse can be defined as physical, verbal, emotional or sexual. Below is information to help identify child abuse: Physical abuse takes place when a child has experienced physical injury other than by accidental means by a parent or a caretaker. It also includes failure of a parent or caretaker to provide protection for the child from another person who perpetrates the physical abuse. In its most severe form, physical abuse can cause great bodily harm and death. Sexual Abuse can include indecent exposure or any other sexual act performed in a child's presence, external touching of a child's private parts, oral copulation with a child, any type of penetration, sexual use of a child for prostitution or the production of child pornography. Child sexual abuse can also be substantiated when a parent or caretaker willfully fails to make a reasonable effort to stop sexual abuse of child by another person. Emotional Abuse includes placing excessive, aggressive or unreasonable demands on a child beyond their capacity, verbal assaults, name calling, constant belittling, criticizing, insulting, making threats, ignoring the child, failing to provide psychological nurturing, providing no love, support or guidance or exposing the child to constant family conflict. Child maltreatment and abuse includes circumstances that injures a child's healthy well-being, including witnessing domestic violence. Neglect is the most common form of child abuse. Neglect is the failure to provide for a child's physical necessities or risk of harm to the child's health and safety. Examples of physical neglect include poor physical hygiene, inability to meet basic clothing needs of a child, derivation or lack of adequate nutrition, lack of shelter, lack of medical or dental care, lack of supervision or abandonment. In its most severe form, neglect may result in great bodily harm or death of the child. National Child Abuse Prevention Month focuses on prevention and intervention. The best way to prevent child abuse is through education. Anyone who suspects that a child is being abused or neglected is encouraged to report it to the proper authorities, and for military members it is their duty. People who know of a child being abused or exposed to violence in the home should take action. Vance Air Force Base Family Advocacy Program 213-7419 Mental Health Clinic 213-7419 Airman and Family Readiness Center 213-6330 Military & Family Life Consultant 574-4892 Chapel 213-7211 Security Forces 213-7415 Military OneSource (800) 342-9647 Community Resources Child Protective Services Garfield County 548-2120 YWCA Children's Learning 234-7581 Enid Police Department/Emergency Services 9-1-1