Lynn child abuse meet scheduled for May 29

LYNN – The national economic crisis is heightening anxiety and tension in many families, prompting two local social service groups to host a community strategy session on May 29 aimed at preventing child abuse.Lynn Economic Opportunity (LEO) and the Lynn area office of the state Department of Children and Families – formerly the state Department of Social Services – are jointly sponsoring the meeting at LynnArts, 25 Exchange St. in Central Square, from 10-11:30 a.m.”Our goal is to come together and share information and strategies to prevent and positively affect the issue of child abuse within our community,” said Jack Mogielnicki, executive director of LEO. “Lynn is rich in resources and community organizations with a proven history of problem solving.”According to Mogielnicki, LEO, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and other local child care organizations hope to use existing techniques and develop fresh ideas to combat the issues of child abuse and neglect.Experts concur that child abuse increases as the economy stumbles. Economic hardships and mental stress cause many parents to lose patience with their children, which can lead to abuse.The DCF, the agency charged with protecting children from abuse and neglect, has seen a 13 percent increase in reports of child abuse over the past two years and it is expecting the caseload to grow an additional 3-to-5 percent next year, according to budget testimony.The soured economy has contributed to make abuse and neglect unfortunate byproducts of these difficult times, said Mogielnicki, adding, “Unemployment, foreclosures, evictions, homelessness, high energy costs and underemployment magnify the stress levels in families. We feel that it’s our duty to do what we can to help.”More than three million cases of child abuse are reported to authorities annually in the United States, according to Childhelp USA, a national child abuse prevention organization. For every incident of child abuse or neglect that is reported, it is estimated that two go unreported. An estimated four children a day die from abuse. Childhelp USA receives 200,000 calls annually on their National Child Abuse Hotline and by the end of 2008 had seen the number increase by about 10 percent.”We’re beginning to see children being harmed as a result of the stress that families are feeling,” said Mary McGeown, spokeswoman for the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.McGeown noted that the consequences of not helping these children is even greater because those who suffer abuse or neglect are more likely to be arrested for juvenile crimes and are at risk of encountering serious problems as adults, including arrest and substance abuse.”It’s important to keep the spotlight on the issue,” she said.Brunch will be served during the Lynn strategy session. Those planning to attend are asked to notify Theresa McMillin at [email protected] or call 781-581-7220, ext. 219, to make a reservation.”If someone doesn’t have a chance to RSVP, they should still come to the session,” Mogielnicki said.Concetta Crawford, program coordinator for Keeping Pee Dee Kids Safe in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina, child abuse is on the rise. “There are a lot of parents who are dealing with a lot of stress and with the economy getting worse, then the stress increases,” she said. “If the parents don’t find an effective way to deal with their stress, then it impacts their everyday parenting.”According to Crawford, stressed out parents should take a little personal time each day to read, listen to soothing music or meditate. “If you can get away from the situation, maybe get someone to keep the kids, that would be better,” she said. “Dealing with kids and having all that stress, sometimes you need to get away from the situation for a minute.”If parents do find themselves getting angry, they should take several deep breaths and count to 10 before reacting.”We see more neglect than abuse,” Crawford said. “With pa