THUNDER BAY -- Child services agencies in Thunder Bay are asking adults to be alert to the signs of child abuse.
Dilico Anishinabek Family Care and The Children's Aid Society of Thunder Bay recognized Child Abuse Prevention Month on Friday by launching the "Step Up" campaign, which calls on all 114,000 adults in the district to be vigilant in their neighbourhoods and alert authorities when they suspect children are unsafe.
"We often forget what it's like to be a child," said Rob Richardson, the executive director of the Children's Aid Society in Thunder Bay.
"Children often don't understand why negative things happen to them and they're afraid to ask for help. It is important for us to recognize the subtle signs of child abuse and to make that call when we have any concerns at all."
Dilico executive director Darcia Borg knows adults often turn away when they witness evidence of child abuse but she insisted the safety and health of children is all of society's responsibility. Moreover, she added
"We're asking them to know the signs of child abuse. Some of those aren't obvious. One of the biggest forms of child abuse is neglect and it's due to financial difficulties families are having," she said.
"The sooner we get a family help, we can really help to keep them together."
