This year, Blue Ribbon Week will be observed from April 7 to 13. This important day that is marked every first week of April was set up in order to raise awareness about child abuse and the several detrimental effects it has on communities in the U.S. Children are the most vulnerable age group. As adults, we must ensure we do everything in our power to help, protect, and nurture them. Even as adults, our childhood experiences leave lasting impressions on us. Therefore, it is extremely important to provide young ones with the best childhood experiences possible.
History of Blue Ribbon Week
Unfortunately, Blue Ribbon Week has a tragic and heartbreaking history. In the spring of 1989, Bonnie Finney, a grandmother in Virginia, tied a blue ribbon to the antenna of her van. When asked the reason for doing so, she shared the tale of the horrific abuse her little grandchildren had gone through. The abuse was so severe that it finally led to the demise of her innocent grandson who was just three years old then, at the very hands of his biological parents.
Michael Wayne ‘Bubba’ Dickenson lived in an abusive home environment with his siblings. He had also spent some time in a foster home after suffering beatings at home and even begged his foster mother to save him from returning to his biological parents. Finney, too, had campaigned for the same, but the court returned Dickenson to the house where he would eventually be abused and killed. His body was found, bound, beaten, and bruised in a weighted toolbox at the bottom of a canal. Finney said she chose the color blue because it represented all the bruises she had seen on her grandchildren. She said she would never forget the battered and bruised bodies of her grandchildren and used the color as a reminder to fight for child protection.
People empathized with the cause and the spirit of the blue ribbon grew. By the next year, it had become the symbol of child abuse prevention in the state of Virginia. Soon enough, stores, businesses, schools, churches, civic organizations, and social service agencies began participating in the campaign and displaying blue ribbons to support the prevention of child abuse. Today, it has become a national symbol. Finney’s agonizing story shows the effects that just one concerned person can have on raising public awareness and promoting efforts in the prevention of child abuse.
Blue Ribbon Week timeline
Cruelty towards children by employers, teachers, and parents is common, and corporal punishment is the norm in many countries.
The case of Ellen, a little child who is made to suffer from starvation, physical abuse, and neglect, receives much attention.
The New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (N.Y.S.P.C.C.), the world’s first child-protection organization is established.
Finney ties a blue ribbon to her van as a symbol of awareness against child abuse.
Blue Ribbon Week FAQs
How can we stop child violence?
Promotion of personal safety among children, enforcement of child protection policies in schools, and increased parental awareness are vital to preventing violence against children.
What are the different types of child abuse?
These are generally categorized as physical, sexual, and psychological abuse, along with neglect.
How can you tell if a child is being abused or neglected?
Some of the signs include withdrawal, unexpected behavioral changes, uncharacteristic hostility, poor relationship with parent(s), preference for full-covering clothing, knowledge of age-inappropriate adult issues, lack of social skills, and escapist tendencies.
How to Observe Blue Ribbon Week
Display a blue ribbon
Show solidarity by putting a blue ribbon on your clothes, car, door, or by sharing a picture on social media. Tying the ribbon in a noticeable place is also a great way to raise awareness among people who may not be familiar with the campaign.
Educate children
Educate children on the subject of child abuse and also encourage them to report it if they witness or are being subjected to it themselves. While it may seem obvious to us adults, children are often unfamiliar with what constitutes abuse and may be hesitant to speak up.
Consider donating
Make a real difference in the world by donating to a charity working towards eliminating child abuse in the U.S. Several charities are working to raise awareness about this issue and they could do with your support.
5 Heartbreaking Facts About Child Abuse
It can be deadly
Research has found that every day across families in the U.S., one out of five children will die due to child abuse.
It’s more common than you think
Child abuse or neglect is prevalent in the U.S. and it affects one in seven children.
It has lasting effects
Adult survivors of childhood abuse are more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors and unsafe sex, which leads to S.T.D.s and teen pregnancies.
There are different kinds of abuse
Child abuse shows itself in the most common form of neglect then physical, sexual, and psychological abuse.
It starts early
At the age of 18 months or less, the majority of children become victims of abuse and neglect.
Why Blue Ribbon Week is Important
It highlights an important issue
Children are among the most vulnerable age groups in society, and their well-being and protection are extremely important. It’s an issue that concerns everyone, and every adult must strive to create a safe environment for the young ones.
It encourages children to speak out
Many children are hesitant to speak out about abuse, especially if it’s at the hands of someone known to them. Educating them about the concept of child abuse as well as the different systems in place to protect them, can go a long way in helping victims open up and come forward with their stories.
It helps children
A dysfunctional childhood can have lasting effects on a person’s life. Children subjected to abuse are often involved in high-risk behaviors and criminal activities as adults. By taking care of children, we take care of our communities also.
Blue Ribbon Week dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | April 4 | Monday |
| 2023 | April 3 | Monday |
| 2024 | April 1 | Monday |
| 2025 | April 7 | Monday |
| 2026 | April 6 | Monday |
