It is a problem that is not going away but we can do what we can to help out every child.
October is Child Abuse Prevention Month and the purple ribbon is the sign of awareness.
Judith Bouchard — the Executive Assistant Children’s Aid Society of Grey Owen Sound — says the month is in hopes of bringing awareness that we need to be the voice and protector of all children.
Bouchard says some of the signs we all need to look for in children is if an outgoing child suddenly becomes withdrawn, if a child is constantly in torn and dirty clothing and if they seem mal-nourished.
Bouchard says although it is the duty of all professionals in healthcare and education to look for signs of abuse, it also falls on our shoulders for any child we may know.
She adds if you suspect any type of abuse on children you do not have to reveal your identity if you call the CAS.
The numbers of the CAS in Grey are not low. At the end of March of this year in the 2009-2010 year there were 161 children in care in Grey County, 101 of them in foster care and the CAS in Grey had investigated almost 800 cases.
Bouchard says she hopes this campaign shows the problem is all of our problem and we must speak out if we suspect any abuse for children.
She adds abuse does not know net worth so any child, in any economic situation can be affected by abuse.
Bouchard says the best way to find out the signs of abuse, where you can go to report abuse and understanding the different types of abuse there are is use your voice dot ca.
You can pick up your purple ribbon at any of the CAS offices in Grey and Bruce.
