April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness about child abuse and neglect and encourage individuals and communities to support children and families.

Increasing public awareness of the need to ensure the safety and welfare of children led to the passage of the first Federal child protection legislation, the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), in 1974. While CAPTA has been amended many times over the years, most recently by the Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2003, the purpose of the original legislation remains intact.

Today, the Children's Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the Federal agency charged with supporting States, Tribes, and communities in providing programs and services to protect children and strengthen families.

Despite the cold wet weather Monday, Logan County’s Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Department of Community Based Services, Division of Protection & Permanency, along with community members gathered at the Logan County Courthouse to honor children in Logan County who have been reported to have been abused and to bring about awareness of abuse.

The Logan CHSF also implemented the “Hold a Blue Ribbon Campaign.” This campaign began when a Virginia grandmother, Bonnie W. Finney, tied a blue ribbon to the antenna of her van. When asked about it, she told people the tragic story of the abuse of her grandchildren, and the resulting death of her grandson. Since then, millions of people across the country have participated in Blue Ribbon campaigns by wearing the ribbons, or tying ribbons around courthouse steps or a prominent tree for each child reported abused and or neglected within your county. The blue ribbons on the Logan County Courthouse fence represent 347 reported children in Logan County.

“We would like those that drive by to remember these children and remember to always report any concerns regarding child neglect or abuse,” said Missy Perry FSOS for Logan County’s Protection & Permanency.

This gets citizens involved in Child Abuse Prevention Month and activities and reminds people they can help prevent child abuse in their communities.

There are four major types of child maltreatment: neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse and emotional abuse.

• Neglect is failure to provide for a child’s basic needs (food, clothing, shelter).

• Physical abuse is physical injury as a result of punching, beating, kicking, biting, shaking, throwing, stabbing, choking, hitting, burning or otherwise harming a child. Such injury is considered abuse regardless of whether or not the caretaker intended to hurt the child.

• Sexual abuse includes activities by a parent or caretaker, such as fondling a child’s genitals, penetration, incest, rape, sodomy, indecent exposure and commercial exploitation through prostitution or the exposure to or production of pornographic materials.

• Emotional abuse is any pattern of behavior that impairs a child’s emotional development or sense of self worth. This may include constant criticism, threats or rejection as well as withholding love, support and guidance.

If you suspect abuse call 270-726-3516.

Logan’s P&P would like to thank H&H Sheet Metal and Creative Impressions for the sign located on the courthouse lawn, Oak n Ivy for the ribbon and wire, and the Flower Barn for the wire.