Community support needed for child abuse prevention
San Jacinto Newstimes - March 2008

COLDSPRING – San Jacinto County Commissioners’ Court is expected to proclaim the month of April Child Abuse Prevention Month this week. Members of the San Jacinto County Child Protective Services are asking that everyone wear a blue ribbon during April to show your support of child abuse prevention. “We are also encouraging all businesses, schools and organizations to get involved by putting this year’s slogan, ‘There’s No Excuse for Child Abuse,’ on their marquee signs during the month of April. We also want to ‘Paint the City Blue’ with blue ribbons all over the community,” said Ann House, San Jacinto County Child Protective Services member.

April 2 has been designated as Go Blue Day. “Join the Texas Council of Child Welfare Boards and county child protective/ child welfare boards across the state in wearing blue to show support for child abuse prevention. Over 60,000 children are confi rmed abuse victims each year in Texas. In 2006, 227 Texas children died from abuse and neglect. Wear a blue shirt, dress, tie or ribbon to raise awareness about child abuse and neglect and encourage individuals and communities to support children and families,” House said. A blue ribbon is the international symbol for Child Abuse Prevention.

The color blue was chosen to represent the bruised and battered bodies of the thousands of children that are abused everyday. It serves as a constant reminder that all of us have a responsibility to help keep children safe. “You can join in honoring all children and in promoting the prevention of child abuse and neglect. Together we can make this world a safer place for our children,” House said.