Residents are asked to help prevent child abuse

What should I do when my baby will not stop crying? How can I discipline my child without getting physical? Challenges like this face parents in Monmouth County each day. Children can be challenging; for all of the joy they bring, their behavior can interrupt a family outing, shopping trip, and daily life.

Without assistance, a parent might shake a crying baby, or strike an adolescent, potentially causing irreparable physical or emotional harm. However, resources are available to assist parents in their role of caregiver. The Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) received a total of 5,523 referrals for intervention and services in Monmouth County during calendar year 2002, the most recent year for which statistics are available. This is simply not acceptable. Parents must learn more appropriate methods of discipline and stress reduction. For this reason, I am proud to serve as a volunteer director on the Board of Prevent Child Abuse–New Jersey (PCA-NJ). Each day, the staff and volunteers of PCA-NJ work in communities to reduce incidents of child abuse and neglect.

Nationally, April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, symbolized by the blue ribbon. This month, I wear a blue ribbon to display my support for New Jersey’s children. I hope that my fellow readers will do the same.

To obtain a blue ribbon or for more information about Prevent Child Abuse–NJ, please call (800) CHILDREN [(800) 244-5373] or e-mail [email protected].

Joel L. Krinsky

Manalapan