Many chances to help children

Child abuse happens too often in the Inland Northwest, representatives of law enforcement, child welfare and social agencies say.

Hundreds of cases of physical and sexual abuse were investigated last year in the city and county of Spokane.

But individuals can prevent some of the horrific cases, people familiar with the problems said Tuesday in a town hall forum on child abuse on KSPS-TV.

“We are not going to arrest ourselves out of child abuse,” Spokane police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick said.

Many suggestions are actions that might seem small at the time but could make a big difference to a child.

Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich said popular culture fails to provide good role models for children, and not all parents are up to the task.

But other adults can fill that void.

“Be a role model for kids associated with your kids,” Knezovich said. “Listen to your kids’ friends. Get to know their names.”

Part of the town hall was devoted to highlighting the extensive news media coverage devoted to child abuse and neglect in the Inland Northwest during April.

Representatives of The Spokesman-Review and KXLY, KHQ and KREM television stations talked about coverage, much of it on success stories rather than the tragedies.

Steven A. Smith, editor of The Spokesman-Review, said the unusual cooperation among many of the region’s media is an effort to “start a conversation about what should be happening but isn’t. … It’s the community coming together to tackle this issue that is astounding.”

But much of the discussion revolved around ways to help children after moderator Steve Becker suggested that everyone in the studio and at home think of three things they could do to prevent abuse and neglect.

Among the suggestions:

“Let kids know they have a right to be safe. Businesses can sign up to be designated “Safe Places.”

“Volunteer to help. People who can’t volunteer for a formal program or devote several hours a week can still volunteer to help a neighbor who needs a little time away from his or her children.

“Parents who take a baby home from the hospital should know some basic things about their care. Never shake a baby, said Susan Stacy of Sacred Heart Medical Center.

“Never leave a child with someone who doesn’t care about that child.

“Show children you care about them, said Mary Ann Murphy, of the Spokane Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect Council. “Hug the people you love.”