Officials stress community help in fighting child abuse, neglect

Officials in Riverside County are stressing to community members to speak up on child abuse as April is Child Abuse Prevention Month.

“People want to mind their own business but sometimes when you mind your own business, children get hurt.”

That’s what Dr. Sophia Grant with the Riverside University Health System, had to say to people reporting child abuse. She has helped treat hundreds of cases of possible child abuse and says community members need to step up and speak up, by recognizing the signs of abuse.

“The most obvious signs are bruises but there are more subtle things like children who come to school inappropriately dressed or kids who appear hungry,” she said.

It comes as Riverside County supervisors made a proclamation Tuesday recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.

According to county health officials, over 1,300 children were treated for possible abuse just last year across the county. It’s a number they say has held steady.

For prosecutors child abuse cases are some of the most difficult they take on.

“Not only are you dealing with something sensitive, emotional subject matter, the witnesses frequently involved are minor children,” Brijida Rodarte, a deputy district attorney, said. “They’re two factors that complicate deputy district attorneys handling that type of case.”

From a law enforcement perspective, it’s all about breaking the cycle of abuse when they receive a report.

“We don’t want this abuse to continue,” Cathedral City Police Detective Heather Olsen. “We don’t want to come across other victims, so educating the public, educating these children in letting them know we want them to come forward.”

Dr. Grant said ultimately, if someone sees something, say something as it could possibly save a life. Anyone seeing any form of child neglect or abuse, they are urged to call the child abuse hot line at 1-800-442-4918.