Photo By Cpl. Krista James | Colonel Clifford J. Weinstein, commanding officer of 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine...... read more read more
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CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - According to Child Help, a non-profit charity that aids victims of child abuse, every year more than three million reports of child abuse are made in the United States alone involving more than 6 million children. On average, between four and seven children, 70 percent of whom are two years of age or younger, are lost every day to child abuse and neglect.
There is a prevalence of physical, sexual and emotional abuse at 59.6 percent, followed by physical and emotional neglect at 24.7 percent. In 2012, state agencies identified an estimated 1,640 children who died as a result of abuse and neglect.
Marines and sailors with 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division held a child abuse prevention symposium for National Child Abuse Prevention month at the base theatre aboard Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, April 13, 2015.
The symposium educated the unit on signs of child abuse, reporting child abuse, dealing with child abuse as an adult and informed them on various resources for prevention such as the Family Advocacy Program, Community Counseling Center and the Onslow County Partnership for Children.
“Child abuse awareness month is something that doesn’t get near the amount of exposure it can because it’s embarrassing. It’s embarrassing that people will abuse small children, many times their own children,” said Col. Clifford J. Weinstein, commanding officer of 10th Marines. “Many people probably know people or were abused themselves as small children, and it has an impact on you for the rest of your life.”
Brad McGuire, a special agent with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, said that being raised in a nourishing home is imperative to positive development in any child’s life.
“When these kids are developing as children, that’s a very crucial time period and if they don’t get the love, nourishment and support that they need as a child, then they’re going to have tons of problems when they grow up,” McGuire said.
During his opening remarks, Weinstein said that he hopes the Marines and sailors keep their minds open and take to heart what is being said because protecting people is what they do as service members.
“We can protect the most valuable resource we have in this country, without them, just like without you, this country cannot succeed and cannot continue to be the greatest country on this planet,” said Weinstein. “That’s why you joined the Marine Corps, right? To take care of and help people who can’t help themselves; to protect our nation. Well, this is part of that.”
Following Weinstein’s opening remarks, two guests speakers shared their personal experiences with child abuse, hoping to show the Marines and sailors that being a victim of child abuse is something that they can overcome.
“The beauty of my story is that’s who I used to be. That’s who I used to be and I don’t forget it, but I take great pride in not forgetting because that’s what it took for me to be here in front of you today; to tell you that it doesn’t have to define you, you can be an overcomer and [not to be] afraid to deal with the pain,” said retired U.S. Marine Corps Master Sgt. Tina Bryant.
She continued to say that their destiny isn’t defined by where they’ve been, but by being willing to take the first step in overcoming it.
“I do not stand before you today as a victim, because I am not a victim. I’m a survivor,” said Gayloyce Willis, a prevention and education specialist with the Family Advocacy Program. “Everything that happened to me happened to me for a reason. That reason is that so I can be the person standing before you today to tell you that you can overcome it if you allow yourself to acknowledge it in a safe place, move beyond it and get some help.”
After the guests speakers shared their experiences, representatives from the Community Counseling Center, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Consolidated Human Services, Onslow County Partnership for Children, Family Advocacy Program and New Parent Support, gathered on stage for the question and answer portion of the symposium.
During the Q and A, the representatives were asked why it is important to report any suspicion of child abuse.
“Children need someone to be a guardian angel and to stand up for them in the mist of their [situations]. Abuse is a community problem and the way to deal with it and re-address it is community response. No one person can do it on their own, it takes a community. Everybody needs to be involved,” Willis said.
After the final questions, Weinstein gave his closing remarks for the symposium.
“This is a mindset that can make or break the future of this nation, make or break the effectiveness of the citizens that grow up in this country. It can make or break how safe you feel when you, or if you are, a parent to let your children go outside and play,” said Weinstein. “You can change things if you learn the tools, see the signs and are willing to be part of that.”
For more information on child abuse prevention, go to childhelp.org, militaryonesource.mil, childwelfare.gov, preventchildabuse.org and mccslejeune-newriver.com/fap.
| Date Taken: | 04.13.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 04.15.2015 14:49 |
| Story ID: | 160080 |
| Location: | CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 199 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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