Prevent Child Abuse

The Child Abuse Prevention program of Family Service Association is available to provide (at no cost) the following services to any community organization, school, church or daycare.

Good Touch/Bad Touch programs.
Educational Seminars regarding child abuse and neglect issues.
Signs and symptoms of child abuse.
In-services for school and daycare personnel.
How to report child abuse and neglect.
Positive discipline.
Recognizing the effects of child abuse.
Educational materials may be obtained through Child Abuse Prevention of Family Service Association for a nominal fee.

PHILOSOPHY

Child Abuse Prevention of Family Service Association is organized in the belief that no child should be abused or neglected. Therefore, child abuse and neglect should be prevented before the pain has been inflicted.

GOALS

Promote community awareness and community education regarding child abuse and neglect. Coordinate through Prevent Child Abuse Howard County the prevention efforts in the county. Encourage and develop new programs and services to prevent child abuse.

WHAT IS CHILD ABUSE?

PHYSICAL:
Non-accidental physical injury to a child. Examples include severe beatings, burns, human bites, shaking, strangulation, and immersion in scalding water.

SEXUAL:
The fondling, sexual intercourse, or using a child in the production of child pornographic material.

EMOTIONAL:
A pattern of behavior that attacks a child's emotional development and sense of self-worth. Examples include constant criticizing, belittling, insulting, rejecting, and providing no love, support or guidance.

NEGLECT:
Failure to provide a child with the basic necessities of life-food, clothing, shelter, medical care, supervision, and education.

WHERE DOES IT HAPPEN?

ANYWHERE! Poor, middle class, well-to-do homes. In rural areas, suburbs and cities.

WHY DOES IT HAPPEN?

Many abusers were abused themselves, and have some of the following problems:

Lack of parenting knowledge
Have drug or alcohol problems
Have financial, job or legal problems
Have unmet emotional needs
Have a prolonged stressful situation

Prevent Child Abuse Howard County HISTORY:

Family Service Association was a leader in the development of the Howard County Child Abuse Prevention Task Force and remains the sponsoring agency for the program today.

The Howard County Child Abuse Prevention Council built on the groundwork laid over a five year period by the Howard County Child Abuse Prevention Task Force. The Council for Prevention of Child Abuse was formed on April 6, 1989. The name was changed to Prevent Child Abuse Howard County on February 17, 2000. It is an affiliate of the state chapter of Prevent Child Abuse Indiana, as well as the national organization. Prevent Child Abuse Howard County has seven committees:

Business, Media and Industry Committee
Church Committee
Community Service Committee
Fundraising Committee
Health Committee
Law Committee
School Committee

Working to prevent child abuse and neglect in Howard County.