Aware of the children around us
Another senseless death by abuse…
I am writing as my heart breaks for the parents who just learned of their baby’s death by abuse from the hands of another caregiver. Another life that ended in violence.
And another family traumatized from the cycle of abuse. Most of these cases do not make the paper. Most of these cases are not heard by the general public.
As the CEO of North Idaho CASA, these cases cross my desk every day and I want to ensure that each and every one of us are made aware of the many voiceless children suffering from senseless abuse. I implore you to not turn a blind eye.
Fortunately, I also know the many partners who work to protect our collective children, including Emerge helping children in utero, HeadStart and Panhandle Health District empowering early childhood development, educators showing love and support daily in the classroom, first responders and Idaho Department of Health and Welfare are on-scene when abuse strikes and place the children into emergency shelters such as Children’s Village.
Vital to these children’s recovery are the medical workers who examine them in the Emergency Department at Kootenai Health, CASA Advocates who are appointed by judges to serve as these children’s voice in court, therapists and pediatricians who try to heal their minds and bodies, Safe Passage which provides protection for their mothers and siblings, Boys and Girls Club of Kootenai County which provides a safe place for all children to learn and play, and our many community leaders who advocate for stronger child protection legislation.
Countless community agencies and organizations work every day to keep our children safe and help them recover from the trauma experienced. We know and see what hundreds and hundreds of our community’s children experience. We are partners working to create positive outcomes and healthy citizens.
Please don’t think of this as only the death of an innocent child, but rather let it motivate you to make a pledge to do something for another child in our community. Help children in our community by volunteering for one of the many partner organizations, becoming more aware of the children around you, and speaking up when you feel something is wrong.
Please never forget this innocent soul and his shattered family left behind.
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KJ Torgerson is CEO of North Idaho Court Appointed Special Advocates, better known as CASA. CASA’s volunteer advocates are entrusted by the courts to look out for the best interests of children who have been removed from their homes due to neglect or abuse.