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Board Members Margaret Cott Judy Kays Wilma Garrett Pam Sebastian Rich DePaoli Cliff Cato Michelle Hanson Debbie Wilhite Gabrielle Huston Carol Brown |
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The Beacon |
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March, 2007 |
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Volume 1, Issue 9 |
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www.thelighthouseshelter.org |
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APRIL IS CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH
Like their mothers, children of battered women frequently live in an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty. Witnessing domestic violence, especially when coupled with direct abuse or exposure to other forms of violence, also has been identified as a likely influence and predictor of child’s condoning or use of violence, particularly for boys. It is also reported that 50-70% of batterers also abuse their children. Studies indicate that the more severe the abuse is to the woman, the more severe the abuse is for the children.
According to the Missouri Department of Social Services, in 2005 over 107,000 hotline calls generated 54,201 reports of child abuse and neglect. This involved 80,673 children in the state of Missouri. Of those reports 5,427 cases were substantiated as abuse or neglect involving 7,640 children, and 25 child fatalities were recorded as a result of abuse and neglect.
What can you do? If you, and or your children are victims of abuse get out! You can contact the Lighthouse Shelter at 1-660-831-0988 or 1-888-831-0988 for assistance. The Lighthouse Shelter also offers professional counseling services (for adults and children) with a licensed therapist who specializes in domestic violence. All services are strictly confidential.
If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected contact the Missouri Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-392-8738.
What are we doing? In addition to our shelter and counseling services the Lighthouse Children’s Center opened in 2007. While the Children’s Center is still a work in progress we are already offering services to our shelter residents and members of our community. Our center creates a positive environment for children to express themselves. We have a library, games, arts and crafts, music, dolls and doll houses, even a fish tank! We will also be offering after school tutoring and a Mother’s Day Out. We appreciate the generous donations which have allowed us to come this far, however we are still in need of several items. Also if you would like to tutor or share a special talent we have many volunteer opportunities. To help as a volunteer, or with any of the following items, please contact the Lighthouse Shelter, 660-831-0988, or the administrative offices at 660-886-9880.
Items needed at the Lighthouse Children’s Center include:
Bookshelves for library Puff Paint in large bottles Paints in All Colors Puzzles for young children Puzzles for young children Bean Bag Chairs Crochet Hooks Barbie Clothes Balls
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