As a double Penn State University graduate, it’s been heart wrenching, on many levels, to watch the recent child abuse and resulting cover-up unfold.  Joe Paterno has been an icon, an idol, a mentor, a humble supporter of students and education, a man of integrity, a true, honest hero for millions of Penn Staters.  We always thought he’d die on the field.

The university did the right thing tonight in firing President Spainer and Coach Paterno effective immediately. [read the piece of grand jury testimony that validates Paterno's firing here, scroll to italicized section] If this can happen at a university such as Penn State, it’s time we become more aware of what’s happening in our own communities, neighborhoods, back yards, perhaps our own homes, and how keeping silent can be deadly.

On October 19, 2011, a 4 year-old boy who lived a few blocks from my own house was killed by blunt force trauma severe enough to cause brain hemmorrhaging.   More on this story here.  Reports show that people were aware of the abuse before he was murdered.  The child’s abuser and alleged killer, Michael Antonio Dixon Jr., had past assault convictions and had served time in jail for those convictions.

So what can I do?  Pay attention.  Educate myself.  Be willing to speak up, if needed.

Here’s what I learned tonight in just an hour on the phone with my mom (a veteran early childhood advocate in my hometown) and researching online.

Local Resource: WNC Child Abuse Prevention Services, Inc.

According to the WNC Child Abuse Prevention Services, there were more than 5 million reports of child abuse and neglect in the United States last year, more than 100,000 in North Carolina, and about 4,000 in Buncombe County. One in five children are abused, half are under age 6 and four children will die every day from abuse or neglect.

WNC CAPS provides some signs and symptoms of abuse and reminds us that  it is NOT necessary to witness abuse or neglect to make a report.  WNC CAPS website also states that under North Carolina law, everyone is a Mandated Reporter.  Mandated Reporters are individuals who are required to report suspected abuse or neglect of a child.  Reports can be made anonymously.

To Make A Report in Buncombe County, Call Buncombe County DSS at 828.250.5900 or contact Child Abuse Prevention Services at any time with questions or concerns.

Research: Animal Abuse and Child Abuse Link [neighbors, listen up!]

Did you know that someone who abuses animals is 5 times more likely to commit violent crimes against people?  So, if you live next door to someone who abuses his or her dog or cat and they have children in the home, pay attention.

According to a 1997 study done by the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and Northeastern University, animal abusers are five times more likely to commit violent crimes against people and four times more likely to commit property crimes than are individuals without a history of animal abuse.

What do you know?  What other resources do we have to keep our children safe in our communities?  Please provide more input and add to the conversation.

Read the full Grand Jury Testimony from Penn State.