Locals Can Help Prevent Child Abuse
The tragic death of 6-year-old Afton Allison comes during national child abuse prevention month.
Local social workers and law enforcement said people need to do more, to keep our kids safe.
At Bright Tomorrows Child Advocacy Center, staff said they see far too many kids coming from abusive homes.
“We do have cases of child abuse that we work with weekly here,? Bright Tomorrows Executive Director Kathy Downes said.
In rooms with bright painted walls, and miniature furniture, counselors talk with kids who’ve been victims.
Staff said the numbers of those interviews has steadily increased over the last few years, but that might be a good thing.
More cases are being reported and investigated, instead of staying in the shadows.
“There’s been a big push for the community and police department to be more proactive in investigating child abuse cases,? Pocatello Police Detective Trent Whitney said.
Whitney said the only way police can take these children out of dangerous situations is if somebody says something.
“Even if you think of it as a minor small thing that doesn’t matter, there may be things going on in the home that you don’t know about,? Whitney said.
If someone knows abuse is happening and doesn’t speak up, they can even be prosecuted.
“If it was found that somebody failed to report and they knew about it. They actually could be charged with failure to report, and that actually has happened here,? Downes said.
