Like me you have probably stopped trying to figure out what the ribbon of the month is. There are green ribbons, yellow ribbons, gray and pink ribbons. There are tartan ribbons, and orange ribbons. There are even ribbons for “students against the exploitation of Rocky and Bullwinkle in Taco Bell Commercials” and Chicago Cub fans! The Bullwinkle group is now defunct, I’m not sure that will ever be the case for Cubs fans.

I think ribbon campaigns can and do draw attention to important issues and concerns. However, I must admit I don’t ask about ribbons as frequently as I used to. The Blue Ribbon Campaign began in 1989 when a grandmother in Virginia quietly yet determinedly tied a blue ribbon to the antenna of her van, because she wanted “to make people wonder.” Those who inquired about her ribbon heard the tragic story about the abuse of her grandchildren, which ultimately led to the brutal death of her grandson. Why blue? Mrs. Finney chose blue because she couldn’t forget the battered and bruised bodies of her grandchildren. Blue served as a constant reminder that our children need protection.

This month people across our state and nation will be following Grandma. Finney’s lead and wearing blue ribbons. Child Abuse Prevention. Nearly one million children are victims of child abuse and neglect each year in the United States. According to the US Department of Health & Humans Services 2006 Child Maltreatment Report 1,500 children died at the hand of their abusers. More than 75% of these were under four years of age.

Child Abuse Prevention Month is an appropriate opportunity to remind us of our collective responsibility to prevent abuse and neglect. The Colorado Children’s Trust Fund suggests these simple ways that you can help prevent abuse.

• Be a nurturing parent. Children need to know they are special and loved. Educate yourself about a child’s development process so you that have reasonable expectations about what your child can and cannot do.
• When you’re feeling troubled, frustrated or lonely, don’t lash out at your child. Stop, take a deep breath, and count to 10 (or better yet 100). Remember you are the adult. Close your eyes and pretend you are hearing what your child is about to hear. Know where you can turn for help when you need it.
• When your baby cries . . . It can be frustrating to hear your baby cry, especially when nothing you do seems to work. Learn what to do if your baby won’t stop crying. Remember – never shake a baby or a young child!
• Help and support other parents. If you know a parent who is under stress, offer him or her a break. Establish a parent support group or volunteer to work with an existing program.
• Report suspected abuse or neglect. Keeping children safe is the responsibility of every adult in our community. If you have reason to believe a child has been – or may be – harmed, call your county department of human services and ask for an Intake Worker. Follow this link for a listing of Colorado DHS offices.

There are so many ribbons it is hard to sort them out. But if you see a blue ribbon this month, you now know. It may be they are wearing it as a concerned citizen, or it may be that the person is somebody’s grandmother with a story to tell. Either way, it is worth our time and attention.

For more information on what you can do to help prevent child abuse visit the Kempe Center, American Humane or the Child Welfare Information Gateway websites.