Judge supports child abuse awareness, prevention

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“Finding solutions requires input and action from everyone”

Woman’s Club of Cotulla members joined representatives of the Wintergarden Women’s Shelter and La Salle County Judge Joel Rodriguez on the courthouse lawn as the judge read a proclamation declaring April Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month in the County and urged community-wide action to help put an end to cycles of abuse. Among those with the judge at a public display of child silhouettes to promote the cause were Woman’s Club members County Attorney Elizabeth Martinez, Thelma Trevino, Novella Byrd, Stephanie Canales, Nora Martinez and Minerva Rios; and Marisa Price of the Wintergarden Women’s Shelter. (Courtesy photo)

La Salle County Judge Joel Rodriguez is joining scores of local and state government leaders in April with proclamations in support of Child Abuse Prevention Month, and has met with civic and advocacy group leaders to promote the cause.
The judge put his signature to the document that is published each year to help raise awareness of what he describes as an issue that runs throughout all levels of society and requires community-wide support for intervention.
Judge Rodriguez indicated that recently collected data shows cases of child abuse and neglect reached into the millions for a single year at the national level, with at least 3.9 million cases reported for 2020 alone.
“Child abuse and neglect are a serious problem affecting every segment of our community,” the judge said earlier this month when meeting with members of the Woman’s Club of Cotulla and the Wintergarden Women’s Shelter. “Finding solutions requires input and action from everyone.”

“Our children are our most valuable resources and will shape the future of La Salle County,” the judge read from his proclamation on the courthouse lawn Wednesday, April 13. “Child abuse can have long-term psychological, emotional and physical effects that have lasting consequences for victims.”

The judge also noted that he believes protective factors are conditions that reduce or eliminate risk, and promote the social, emotional and developmental wellbeing of children.
“Effective child abuse prevention activities succeed because of the partnerships created between child welfare professionals, education, health, community- and faith-based organizations, businesses, law enforcement agencies and families,” Judge Rodriguez said, adding that he believes communities “must make every effort to promote programs and activities that create strong and thriving children and families.
“We acknowledge that we must work together as a community to increase awareness of child abuse and contribute to promote the social and emotional wellbeing of children and families in a safe, stable, and nurturing environment,” the judge’s proclamation read. “Prevention remains the best defense for our children and families.”
Activities related to Child Abuse Prevention Month in La Salle County have included the proclamation and a promotional display on the courthouse lawn, and a special presentation made by Assistant District Attorney Leslie Carranza earlier this month to members of the Woman’s Club of Cotulla, where the prosecutor and child advocate discussed the importance of vigilance in helping intercept cycles or emergence of child abuse and neglect in the community.