Your Health: April is Child Abuse Prevention Month - wear blue, but why?

April is child abuse prevention month. Throughout the month, you will see fellow community members wearing blue or sporting a blue ribbon to show their support for the cause.

The ribbon and color blue are international symbols of child abuse prevention-the color blue represents the bruised and battered bodies of children, who have been subjected to abuse.

Locally, since the COVID-19 pandemic’s start, there has been a rise in child abuse & neglect cases. This in part has been due to the increase of stress on households due to loss of incomes, loss of homes, drug use, diminished parenting capacities, along with many other stressors families are forced to deal with.

You may be wondering how the blue ribbon became symbolic?

In 1981, April was declared Child Abuse Awareness Month, then in 1983 April was declared National Child Abuse Prevention Month and in 1989, the color blue was declared the Child Abuse Awareness ribbon color.

In the spring of 1989, a grandmother from Virginia named Bonnie Finney, tied a blue ribbon to the antenna of her van. This started conversation across the community, and people asked her what the story behind the ribbon was. The story she had to share was heartbreaking. The ribbon ignited conversation surrounding the ongoing abuse Bonnie’s grandchildren frequently suffered at the hands of their parents, which ultimately led to the death of her 3-yearold grandson.

Today, the purpose of the ribbon remains the same, to bring awareness to the topic of child abuse. Abuse, especially child abuse, is something society does not want to believe is happening, especially in their own communities. Sadly, it is happening at higher rates than ever. We must raise awareness of abuse and break the cycle and learn how to prevent it. Prevention through education helps eliminate child abuse. Prevent Child Abuse North Dakota (www.pcand.org) offers many resources, trainings, and information related to the prevention of child abuse and neglect.

Child abuse does not discriminate. It does not matter how much money you make, what church you go to, or what color your skin is, child abuse exists everywhere. By taking a stand against child abuse and becoming aware of the warning signs, and reporting your suspicions to authorities, you are helping to break the cycle of abuse, and possibly saving the life of a child. In North Dakota, you can report suspected child abuse or neglect by calling your local law enforcement, or the state child abuse and neglect hotline at 1-833-958-3500.

Please take time this month to wear blue in support of child abuse prevention. Your support matters.

Dana Lindemann, MSW is a licensed social worker serving as a Child Welfare Supervisor for the Buffalo Bridges Human Service Zone, Valley City Office.

Your Health is coordinated by the City County Health District.