TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) —
April is a nationally recognized month of prevention for child abuse.
The Parent-Child Center of Tulsa Hosts Annual Meeting
The Parent-Child Center of Tulsa hosts a yearly meeting to help educate state legislators, county commissioners, city officials, and more.
Pinwheels Symbolize Child Abuse Cases
The Parent-Child Center of Tulsa planted over two thousand pinwheels right in front of their office. These pinwheels represent a case of substantiated child abuse or neglect in Tulsa County.
“As you pulled into the Parent-Child Center, I hope most of you at least noticed the thousands of pinwheels as you came in. Those pinwheels are visual depictions and represent a child who was abused in Tulsa County in 2023,” said President & CEO of The Parent Child Center, Melanie Anderegg.
Advocacy for Children in Tulsa
There was a total of 2,711 pinwheels on display today for Child Abuse Prevention Month. But statewide that number swells to over 14,000 substantiated cases. State legislators, city officials, and county commissioners filled the room to be a part of advocacy for children in the city of Tulsa. One of them being Deputy Mayor Carr.
“Child abuse and neglect is a community issue and finding solutions for prevention involves the entire community. And whereas child abuse and neglect not only directly harms children but causes costly and lifelong issues such as physical and mental health problems, drug substance abuse, school failure, and criminal behavior,” said Tulsa Deputy Mayor, Cassia Carr.
Stories of Child Abuse
The deputy went on to read G.T. Bynum’s statement, naming the month of April in Tulsa; child abuse prevention and awareness month. The County Commissioner, Karen Keith, echoing her sentiment to the city of Tulsa. A former state representative, Carol Bush, shared a story about child abuse.
“A Tulsa Anesthesiologist by the name of Doctor JK Farrish had an experience in the operating room where a baby had died on the table. Cause of death, the mother threw the baby against a wall. He went home that night and relayed this story to his wife and daughter with tears in his eyes,” said former state representative, Carol Bush.
His wife started a group through a newspaper ad in the 1970’where many reached back out to her and a small group of her coffee friends. They called that group Parents Anonymous. That group grew to thousands. Which is now better known as the parent-child center of Tulsa.
Building Resilience and Healing
“For those sitting at home to remember that all it takes is one. And that’s one individual who’s a positive influence in a child’s life to help them build resilience and create a pathway of healing,” said Anderegg.
Pathway for Prevention
The Parent-Child Center of Tulsa has created a pathway for 90,000 individuals on primary prevention cases.
Contact Information
You can find the Parent-Child Center of Tulsa resources and how to contact them on their website.
Parent-Child Center of Tulsa says reaching out for help will create a better life for you and your children.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children | – Number of substantiated cases of child abuse or neglect – Number of pinwheels planted to represent cases of child abuse or neglect |
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.4: Reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being | – Costly and lifelong issues such as physical and mental health problems resulting from child abuse and neglect |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | Target 4.1: Ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education | – School failure resulting from child abuse and neglect |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status | – Advocacy for children in the city of Tulsa by state legislators, city officials, and county commissioners |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The issue of child abuse and neglect addressed in the article is connected to SDG 16, which aims to end abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against children.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
The article mentions the physical and mental health problems that can result from child abuse and neglect, connecting it to SDG 3, which focuses on promoting good health and well-being.
SDG 4: Quality Education
The article highlights the impact of child abuse and neglect on school failure, linking it to SDG 4, which aims to ensure quality education for all.
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
The advocacy for children in the city of Tulsa by state legislators, city officials, and county commissioners mentioned in the article relates to SDG 10, which aims to reduce inequalities and promote social inclusion.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children
The article addresses the issue of child abuse and neglect, which aligns with Target 16.2 under SDG 16.
Target 3.4: Reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being
The article mentions the physical and mental health problems resulting from child abuse and neglect, connecting it to Target 3.4 under SDG 3.
Target 4.1: Ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education
The article highlights the impact of child abuse and neglect on school failure, which relates to Target 4.1 under SDG 4.
Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status
The advocacy for children in the city of Tulsa by state legislators, city officials, and county commissioners mentioned in the article aligns with Target 10.2 under SDG 10.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
– Number of substantiated cases of child abuse or neglect: The article mentions that there were over 14,000 substantiated cases of child abuse statewide, indicating a potential indicator for measuring progress towards Target 16.2 under SDG 16.
– Number of pinwheels planted to represent cases of child abuse or neglect: The article states that over 2,000 pinwheels were planted by the Parent-Child Center of Tulsa to represent cases of child abuse or neglect in Tulsa County. This can serve as an indicator to measure progress towards Target 16.2 under SDG 16.
– Costly and lifelong issues such as physical and mental health problems resulting from child abuse and neglect: The article highlights the long-term consequences of child abuse and neglect on physical and mental health, suggesting an indicator to measure progress towards Target 3.4 under SDG 3.
– School failure resulting from child abuse and neglect: The article mentions school failure as one of the lifelong issues caused by child abuse and neglect, indicating a potential indicator for measuring progress towards Target 4.1 under SDG 4.
– Advocacy for children in the city of Tulsa by state legislators, city officials, and county commissioners: The article emphasizes the involvement of various stakeholders in advocating for children, which can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards Target 10.2 under SDG 10.
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children | – Number of substantiated cases of child abuse or neglect – Number of pinwheels planted to represent cases of child abuse or neglect |
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.4: Reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being | – Costly and lifelong issues such as physical and mental health problems resulting from child abuse and neglect |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | Target 4.1: Ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education |
