Child Advocacy Center asking Lubbock residents to help prevent child abuse & neglect

LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) - “How are the children” is this year’s theme, challenging the Lubbock community to bring child abuse and neglect into the spotlight.

Derek Danner, the executive director of the Child Advocacy Center, says child abuse is happening right here at an alarmingly high rate.

“The region that we live in is one of the highest per capita in the state, so there is a need for our services,” Danner said. “If we were unable to provide those, they wouldn’t be provided to the children and they’re a component to the child abuse and neglect investigations.”

Doctor Brian Payne, Chief Medical Officer at UMC Children’s Hospital, believes the Hub City has everything it needs to help surrounding towns fight child abuse and neglect.

“That’s really our advocacy, that Lubbock stands as the beacon for the region and is helping other areas recognize that we all need to intervene as a regional leader,” Payne said. “Lubbock can help us lead in that effort to make sure others are inspired as well.”

Although the South Plains Child Abuse Coalition features different organizations ready to take action and help any child in need, Payne says it takes the whole community to make the biggest change possible.

“We’re their only voice they may have; a number of these children are young; they can’t even speak,” Payne said. “We can be their advocacy and their voice, and if we see that we really do need to speak up because that may be the only way we can intervene to save these children.”

Danner knows it may be scary to say something if you don’t know the child or the situation, but your one call could save a life.

“The Department of Family and Protective Services has a hotline and you can go online to file that report,” Danner said. “If you think a crime is being committed, call law enforcement. Call law enforcement, it may not be a 911 but you can still call and make a report, and it can start there as well.”

Everyone is encouraged to wear blue during the month of April and to tell others what this color stands for, and to always ask yourself “how are the children?”

If you suspect abuse or neglect or are in need of help, click here.