April is a significant month nationally, and members of the Franklin County Domestic Violence Task Force are collaborating to help increase local awareness of two critical issues affecting our friends and neighbors: Child abuse and sexual assault.
Child Abuse: In Franklin County, child abuse and neglect happens more frequently than one might think. In 2013, there were 468 reports made to child protective services. Of those reports, 229 were referred on for further interventions. These children are victims of abuse, neglect and emotional maltreatment at the hands of those who are tasked with protecting and nurturing them. While not all children who experience these issues are removed from their caretakers, many are placed with family members, foster care providers or strangers. They are essentially uprooted and displaced, often causing them severe anxiety and sadness. These feelings, while normal, can also be detrimental to the emotional health of children. We know that such incidents can also cause lasting damage to their physical health and well-being. When this happens, these incidences are known as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).
These experiences can include: physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, emotional abuse, incarceration, substance abuse, untreated mental health issues, and domestic violence. Such experiences early in life have been known to result in poor health outcomes as these children enter adulthood. While this is evident, building resiliency in our children can and will allow them to overcome such dangers. Protective factors, such as parent resilience, knowledge of parenting and child development, social and emotional competency in children, social connections, and concrete support in times of need can help to provide the tools children require for successful development.
The Franklin County Children’s Task Force will host the following events in April to bring awareness to preventing child abuse:
• A Pinwheel for Prevention is a nationwide public awareness campaign. The pinwheel is an uplifting symbol of childhood, and helps the public recognize that the future is at risk when children don’t have equal opportunity for growth and development. The pinwheel is a reflection of hope, health, and healing. The Pinwheels for Prevention campaign will be ongoing throughout the month of April.
• You can join FCCTF and friends at the Homestead Bakery between 7:30-9 am for a family Pancake Breakfast on April 24. All you can eat pancakes will be provided, with fruit, juice and coffee. This event is sponsored by the Farmington Rotary.
• FCCTF will also host its annual Run to Prevent Child Abuse. This is a 5K/10K and Kids Fun Run being held on May 10. The Kids Fun Run is free; registration starts at 7:30 a.m. for all races. The starting place is at FCCTF on Church Street. The run is being shadowed by troops stationed in Kuwait who wanted to sponsor a non-profit agency in Maine.
For any questions about these events, please call FCCTF at 778-6960 or view the website at www.fcctf.org.
Sexual Assault: Last year alone, Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Services (SAPARS) provided support services to more than 440 survivors in Franklin, Androscoggin and Oxford counties. Other statistics to know:
• One in five Mainers report being the victim of attempted or completed rape
• 67 percent of the sexual assault victims reported to law enforcement are under the age of 18
• Nationally – only 50 percent of sexual assaults are reported to law enforcement.
SAPARS works to prevent and eliminate sexual violence and promote healing and empowerment for people of all genders and ages who are affected by rape, sexual assault, child sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, stalking and sexual harassment.
Ending violence is the work of our whole community. With the Franklin County Domestic Violence Task Force we are able to strengthen our connections with local agencies as we work to provide support for survivors of violence in our community.
On Wednesday, April 30, SAPARS will host its 16th Annual March for Violence-Free Communities. Participants will gather at the gazebo at Meetinghouse Park on Main Street in Farmington (across from the Superior Courthouse) at 5:30 p.m. The march will lead to a Speak Out at the Old South Church on Main Street in Farmington. Bill Lowenstein, SAPARS’ president of the board of directors, will be the keynote speaker. Community members will be invited to Speak Out and share their thoughts and feelings on the issues surrounding all forms of violence. Join SAPARS and others in honoring survivors of sexual abuse and help us put a stop to violence in our community.
For additional information and resources, please visit sapars.org or call the statewide, toll free 24-hour Helpline number at 1-800-871-7741 (voice) or 1-888-458-5599 (TTY).
The Franklin County Domestic Violence Task Force is a coalition of agencies and concerned citizens with a mission to lead and empower local people to end domestic violence. For more information about the FCDVTF, please contact Stacie Bourassa at (207)778-6297 or email sbourassa@safevoices.org.
