A Call To Action to Protect Children in Kansas City
December 1, 2023
by Judith Rodman
President & CEO
Recent news of a tragic child death in our Kansas City community leaves our city shocked and grieving. You don’t need to know the child or family to experience the deep sadness that comes with the senseless loss of an innocent young life.
Even more tragic, reports indicate caring neighbors were concerned for the child’s safety and had contacted authorities. My heart breaks for them. While the circumstances are still unknown and the investigation continues, one thing is sure: no child should ever suffer from abuse and neglect.
Too often, our newsfeed includes reports of children and teens being abused, sexually exploited, and neglected, most often by people they love and trust and even prominent community members we know and trust.
These are not isolated instances. One in 7 children experiences abuse or neglect every year, and one in 10 children are sexually abused by the age of 18. Tragically, five children die every day from abuse.
It can be overwhelming. We must allow ourselves time for the sadness, outrage, and anger we feel. But we are not helpless. Child abuse and neglect are preventable.
Let this be a call to action for all adults in our Kansas City community.
What can you do to help protect children? More than you might know. See below for tips, tools, and resources, and empower yourself to help protect children and support families.
In times of tragedy, it is essential to remember what we can do to keep kids safe.
Best,
Judi Rodman
President and CEO
913-631-5800 | Judi@SunflowerHouse.org
Tips, tools, and resources to empower yourself to help protect children and support families
KNOW the Child Abuse Hotlines in your community: KS – 1-800-922-5330 | MO – 1-800-392-3738
- Kansas DCF Hotline
- Missouri Child Abuse Hotline
- National Hotlines – Child Welfare Information Gateway
EDUCATE yourself on the signs and symptoms of child abuse and neglect.
- Recognizing Signs of Child Abuse and Neglect – Nationwide Children’s Hospital
- Child Abuse and Neglect: Recognizing the Signs – KVC Missouri
- Indicators of Abuse – Sunflower House
UNDERSTAND child maltreatment, prevalence, and the risk factors for children and families.
- National Statistics on Child Abuse – National Children’s Alliance
- Fast Facts: Preventing Child Abuse – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
LEARN how to report suspected abuse, what to expect after you make a call, and ways to advocate for children.
- How to Make a Report – Sunflower House
- How To Report Child Abuse – Child Welfare Information Gateway
- Children’s Alliance of Kansas – Kansas Office of Public Advocates
- Reporting Abuse: Helpful Information – Missouri CASA Association
TEACH your children about personal safety and how to identify trusted adults to talk to if someone hurts them or makes them uncomfortable.
- 10 Ways to Teach Children How to Speak-Up – Child Mind Institute
- How To Talk To Kids About Personal Safety – Committee for Children
- Resources for Parents – National Children’s Advocacy Center
ATTEND a professional training on best practices on how to identify and report suspected abuse.
- Child Abuse & Neglect: Mandated Reporter Training – Sunflower House
- Mandated Reporter Training – Missouri Kids First
- State Training Resources – Child Welfare Information Gateway
ADVOCATE for children and families to have the support and resources they need to be safe and thrive.
- 211 Help – United Way of Greater Kansas City
- Quick Links to Services – Kansas Children’s Service League
- Kansas City Community Resources – KU Medical Center
SEEK support for yourself and your family if you are experiencing depression, anxiety, isolation, substance use, or feeling overwhelmed.
- Mental Health Services – Wyandot BHN; PACES
- Mental Health Services – Johnson County Mental Health Center
- Community Mental Health Centers in KC – Metro Council
- 24/7 Parent Stress Line – Parents Helping Parents
- Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – 988 Lifeline
REASSURE and comfort the children in your life when they hear upsetting information on the news and social media.
- Offering Comfort in Scary Times – Sesame Workshop
- Child Mind Institute – Helping Children Cope with Frightening News
- Talking to Children When Scary Things Happen – National Child Traumatic Stress Network
REACH out to your local Child Advocacy Center (CAC) to find out how you can help.
- Johnson and Wyandotte counties, KS – Sunflower House
- Jackson County, MO – Child Protection Center
- Clay & Platte counties, MO – Synergy Services
- Find a CAC – National Children’s Alliance
Tips & Resources Slides
Tips to Protect Children from Abuse by Sunflower House
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