Page 64 - South Mississippi Living - April, 2024

story by
Lisa Kwasinski
photo courtesy of
Children’s Advocacy Centers of Mississippi
What is the first thing you think of when you hear the words “Safety at Home?”
If you are like me, your thoughts may have immediately focused on situations like child locks on cabinets, security systems, and smoke detectors. We can all agree that those safety measures are needed, and they are important to make sure homes are safe. However, I would invite you to consider some other areas that are vital to children feeling safe and secure: physical and emotional safety of children at home.
As we take a closer look at these safety factors, consider the areas of physical and emotional well-being. Not all homes are safe. Not all children are blessed by parents and caregivers who can demonstrate a model of love and compassion for them. Research shows that something as complex as mental health disorders and something as normal as everyday stress can both have a vast effect on the way children are parented. Past exposure to violence, reduced social support, drug and alcohol dependency, depression, and anxiety are all factors that have been strongly linked to the abuse of children.
Service data reported by Child Advocacy Centers across the state reveal a steady increase in cases impacted by physical abuse and emotional abuse. As we look for solutions, we
must also take into consideration the relevance of any of the aforementioned factors related to family violence, abuse, and other severe circumstances.
Another contributing factor to child abuse occurrence stems
from drug and alcohol dependency. While drug and alcohol dependency does not independently often rise to the level
of felonious child abuse, the number of drug-endangerment cases represents roughly five percent of children referred to a local child advocacy center. Undoubtedly, drug and alcohol abuse is an indicator that we cannot ignore.
From this information, it’s evident that there is a great need for more support services and treatment options for stressors within a home that may lead to violence and abuse. Increased opportunities for parenting classes, family therapy, alcohol and drug treatment, and access to trauma-informed therapy are crucial to help fight against abuse.
Being prepared with information is one crucial step in helping fight child abuse across our state. Reach out
to your local Child Advocacy Center for information and support services. Together, we can support children and families to ensure safe environments are available for children in Mississippi.
64 | April 2024
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