The month of April serves as Child Abuse Prevention Month, and there is a dire need for increased awareness for the victims of abuse who suffer throughout the community.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, nearly one in seven children in the United States suffered some form of abuse and neglect in the last year. Such instances of abuse can have long-lasting impacts, as studies have shown that adult survivors of childhood abuse are more likely to experience mental health difficulties, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, and substance use disorders.
In a press release distributed to the County about the victims of child abuse, the road to healing and justice can be a difficult one to travel. Still, an area hospital ensures that some of the most vulnerable in the Rio Grande Valley do not have to travel that road alone.
Through its comprehensive medical forensic program, the Child to Adult Abuse Response Team (CAART) at an area hospital provides around-the-clock critical services to both child and adult victims of abuse, neglect, and sexual assault.
Genette Spear is certified by the Texas Attorney General’s Office as a Certified Adult and Certified Pediatric Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. She is also certified by the International Association of Forensic Nurses as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner-Adult and Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner-Pediatric.
Spear said, “The creation of the Child to Adult Abuse Response Team is to provide that care to the most vulnerable of our population. Those people affected by sexual abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse, elder abuse, and victims of other forms of violence.”
“Child abuse affects everyone. It affects all ages, all genders, and all socio-economic groups. Every person knows someone who has been affected by abuse or it happened to them. Unfortunately, many do not come forward. Many who come forward may face many obstacles, including disbelief, victim blaming, and social isolation. Medical care should not be one of those obstacles,” she said. “CAART provides medical care with compassion and understanding. Forensic nurses work with medical team members to provide a safe and comfortable place to get the comprehensive medical care they need and deserve.
That comprehensive care includes getting a comprehensive history, testing for diseases, documenting injuries, providing needed medical care, ensuring the victim has a safe place to go, connecting the patient with community resources, facilitating communication with law enforcement, and just listening and believing. The Child to Adult Abuse Team coordinates with its community partners to ensure he meets the patient’s needs with compassion and understanding.”
Spear said the community must do its part to help curb the impacts of child abuse. “We are committed to providing the very best care to our community, but it is of the utmost importance that we all do our part,” she said. “If you see a child being abused, if you are told a child is being abused, or you suspect child abuse, say something. Could you report it? If a child tells you they were or are being abused, believe them. Report it.”
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