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Helping a Child

Children who are victims of abuse must depend on the adults in their lives to pay attention to warning signs, believe them when they tell us something is wrong, and respond responsibly.

Click below for information:

Signs & Symptoms of Abuse & Neglect

Handling Disclosures

Reporting Abuse & Neglect

Support & Healing Resources

Facts About Child Abuse

In America:

• Each year 1 million children in the United States are confirmed to be victims of abuse by Child Protective Services; millions more suffer in silence.
   

• Each year in this country, thousands of children die as a result of abuse.
   

• Each year millions of children witness domestic violence in their own homes.
   

• Most of these children are themselves victims of physical and emotional abuse.
   

• Children are most often abused by the very people they rely on for love and acceptance -  parents and other family members.
   

• One in four girls and one in six boys, in the U.S., are victims of sexual assault by the age of eighteen.

In Berkshire County:

• In 2001 the Department of Social Services received nearly 2000 reports of child abuse and neglect from Berkshire County.
   

• Berkshire County Kids' Place serves an average of 400 victims of child abuse from throughout Berkshire County each year.

The Effects:

• Children who are either victims of abuse or witnesses to domestic violence often suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which has long term effects on virtually every aspect of their lives and development.
   

• Children learn what they live. Children who live with violence in their own homes learn that violence is an acceptable way to deal with frustration and conflicts.

Berkshire County Kids' Place & Violence Prevention Center is a Children's Advocacy  Center providing services to victims of child abuse and their non-offending family members. The Kids' Place  is a Berkshire United Way agency and a full member of the National Children's Alliance.

Eligibility: Services at the Kids' Place are free and available to victims of child abuse, children who witness domestic violence and non-offending family members.

Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8:30 am to 7:00 pm, and Fridays, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.