According to the Kempe Foundation, children who experience abuse are three times more likely to abuse drugs, commit three times more crime, are six times more likely to attempt suicide multiple times during their teen years, are twice as likely to require special-education services, perform lower on standardized tests and are 50 percent more likely to become pregnant as teens. Adults who experienced abuse are four times more likely to have serious mental-health conditions.

There are ways to positively impact these circumstances. Abuse must be reported. The caseworkers at La Plata County Department of Human Services care deeply about serving vulnerable children and families. For investigations to be effective, the community must be proactive. The county offers few evidence-based parent-education opportunities. Archuleta and Montezuma counties each offers more evidence-based skill-building to parents. Their rates of founded abuse and neglect are lower than in La Plata County.

If you are compelled to act, consider one of the following: 1) Can you or a business or organization you are affiliated with provide funding for evidence-based parenting classes? If so, email me at [email protected]. 2) Does a family you know need help? Can you offer to make a meal or baby-sit for a few hours? Parents who abuse report isolation and a lack of support contribute to stress. 3) If you know you’ve hurt your children and you are ready to learn healthier strategies for parenting, get help. The Department of Human Services at 382-6150, the state hotline at 1-800-CHILDREN and the La Plata County Family Center are places to get support.

Child abuse impacts every one of us. It’s time we take steps to protect our most vulnerable community members.

Lindsay Sherman

Durango