DIXON, CA (MPG) - Dixon Family Services (DFS) has a banner in front of the building with blue pinwheels spinning in the spring wind during the month of April as one way to remind people that April is Child Abuse Awareness Month, and that there are things we can all do to reduce and prevent child abuse and neglect.

Child abuse, in its many forms, happens every day and has major impacts on the futures of those victimized. Solano County percentages are higher than California averages.

Studies show that there is a direct link between child abuse and a greater risk later in life of depression, alcoholism, drug abuse, smoking, eating disorders, obesity, sexual promiscuity, certain chronic diseases and suicide.

DFS does all it can to help ensure the safety and well-being of Dixon’s children all year long. As a Family Resource Center, it is a priority goal to reduce the incidences of child abuse or neglect in homes and in the community at large by enlightening and informing people of the signs to watch out for, reporting suspected abuse, and steps to take to create an environment that can reduce the possibilities for abuse or neglect of children.

Though Dixon Family Services’ main focus is to assist households living at or below poverty, we want to be clear that child abuse knows no boundaries and is found in families of all socio-economic backgrounds and cuts across lines of ethnicity, culture, and education.

There are a number of factors that can create increased risk of child abuse including lack of parenting skills, teen pregnancy, substance abuse, mental illness, poverty and substandard housing conditions, domestic violence, and a parent history of child abuse. These same risk factors can be barriers to abusers’ acknowledgement of the problem and ability to seek programs or services intended to stop the abuse such as parenting classes, counseling, peer support or other approaches.

As a community, we have a responsibility to nurture and protect our children, as well as other people’s children to ensure they can become healthy and productive adults.

Do not hesitate to report what you think might be abusive behavior to local police or county child protective services. Let professionals determine if your concerns are worth investigation.

For more information about child abuse, ways to help prevent it, and how to report it, we suggest you visit our website, www.dixonfamilyservices.org, the Children’s Network website www.childnet.org, the Partners in Prevention website www.partnersinprevention.org , or call Solano Child Welfare Services 1 (800) 544-8696.