Neighbor News
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month; Michigan has a higher rate of abuse than the national average
Study finds that many accidental burns are actually child abuse, according to Children's Hospital of Michigan Foundation
During 2013, 15 of every 1,000 children in Michigan were abused by adults—higher than the national average, according to an analysis of government data by the national Annie E. Casey Foundation. In Detroit the rate was 19 per 1,000 children. Not only do these children suffer while they’re young but many face significant challenges later in life due to their abuse.
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation encourages donations for research and programs to help prevent abuse and to provide special treatment for those who have been hurt. The Foundation funded research proving that many so-called accidental burns with irons are actually intentional. Emergency facilities worldwide see many children and toddlers with burn marks shaped like an iron and adults often claim that an iron fell on the child accidentally when he or she pulled out the cord. Children’s Hospital of Michigan research demonstrated that this is virtually impossible and that evidence is now used by emergency rooms to identify child abuse.
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The Foundation also funds medical evaluations and treatment for physically and sexually abused children. Specially trained staff members provide a safe place to care for traumatized children at the Kids TALK Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) at The Guidance Centers in Detroit and Southgate.
Dena Nazer, M.D., a pediatrician with fellowship training in the treatment of abused children, says “No child should ever go through abuse. When it does happen, we at Kids TALK CAC understand all the new guidelines about how to interview and assess the child. We nurture the child as a whole and try to give them the treatment they need so that they can grow into healthy adults.”
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“Dr. Nazer’s important work at The Guidance Center is a necessity for our community,” says Foundation President and CEO Tony Werner. “We are convinced it’s making a difference in the lives of children and are committed to supporting it.”
To learn more about child abuse prevention and treatment programs, visit www.chmfoundation.org.
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